Red Bulls Gameday Feature

Second Annual Red Bulls High School Cup A Success

On Friday and Saturday, June 21-22, the New York Red Bulls hosted the Second Annual Red Bulls High School Cup, an event that provides the best boys' high school talent in the area one last chance to shine, this time on the professional pitch of Giants Stadium. This edition of the Cup differed from the inaugural event, as this year the match pitted the premier high school talent from New York and New Jersey against one another in a battle for state bragging rights. In the first Red Bull High School Cup, the match featured Northern New Jersey versus Southern New Jersey on May 13, 2007.

The event, presented by adidas, kicked off on Friday, as each team went through a full training session on the Giants Stadium pitch. This was the first time that many of the participants had been able to play with, as opposed to against, their new teammates, so there was an adjustment period that had to be gone through so that the players could get a rudimentary knowledge of their new teammates. For most the players, this was the first time they had been on the field of the 80,000 seat facility, which has hosted World Cup and Women's World Cup matches, Cosmos matches, International Friendlies, and, of course, Red Bull matches over the years.

Following the two training sessions, the participants attended a dinner reception, where they were greeted by New York Red Bull Sporting Director Jeff Agoos and Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Both Agoos and Osorio addressed the graduating seniors, and the message they conveyed was a simple one: Local talent is important. Red Bulls players such as Kevin Goldthwaite and David Roth also attended the event, dining with players and coaches and getting to know the players on a personal level.

The High School Cup match followed the Red Bulls tilt with FC Dallas, which saw New York post a 1-0 clean sheet win over their Western Conference rival. A Kevin Goldthwaite header off a Sinisa Ubiparipovic corner kick in the 16th minute was the difference. At halftime of the match, the High School Cup participants were introduced to the Giants Stadium crowd.

As the echoes of the final whistle in the Red Bulls victory faded, the teams took the field for the much anticipated high school fixture.

New York showed themselves to be the superior team, generating chances throughout and defending as a unit for a full 90 minutes, winning the showdown 2-1.

New York and Baldwinsville High School striker Nathan Bourdeau opened the scoring off a simple clearance from defender Pat Cantwell. A New Jersey defender misread the header, and Bourdeau was there to hammer it home passed Jersey keeper Ryan Goettel.

New York then went up 2-0 only four minutes later on a perfect cross from midfielder Byrant Knibbs (Pine Bush High School) from the right flank, headed home by Sayville High School product Craig Santangelo.

"It feels awesome," said Santangelo, who was recognized as the Man of the Match in a post-match presentation. "I got a perfect ball in. All I was thinking was don't put it over the crossbar and luckily I didn't. Coming in with all the fans, all the drummers going crazy, it was an awesome experience."

Santangelo's goal proved to be the eventual game-winner, as New Jersey drew within a goal on a penalty kick in the 72nd minute.

While both teams were certainly aiming for a 'W' in their last high school match, coaches were constantly shifting lineups to ensure equal playing time.

"We made sure that each guy was in at least one half," New Jersey coach Tom Breznitsky (Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School) said. "Some of our guys had to play a little more than a half because we didn't have a total compliment, but that was our game plan, for the kids to showcase their skills. Winning, to a degree, is irrelevant. For the kids, it's a little bit of pride and bragging rights."

Breznitsky went on to say that the second Cup accomplished exactly what it set out to accomplish - to showcase the best talent in New York and New Jersey.

"It turned out to be what the Red Bulls and the fans were looking for - a showcase of an incredible amount of talent from New York and New Jersey on the field. I don't know if there is better high school talent anywhere in the country than what we saw here tonight. There are really some quality players."

New York head coach Martin Jacobson (Martin Luther King High School) also spoke highly of the experience.

"The honor, for the families to come to this area," Jacobson said. "They came from Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester. They don't get to that. The Red Bulls organization truly runs a class organization. There is no doubt about it. Everything was provided. Everything was organized. To have this was a pleasure. The event was spectacular from day one."

With New York now holding the Cup and the bragging rights for the next year, the Third Annual Red Bulls High School Cup will surely bring another spirited affair, as New Jersey attempting to gain some revenge, and with the best local talent battling to put their own stamp on what is sure to become a great tradition.

Here are the rosters for New York and New Jersey in this year's event. Players were selected based on nominations from a variety of media outlets, coaches and individuals familiar with New York and New Jersey high school soccer.

New Jersey
Goalkeepers- Grant Schonberg (Pingry HS), Alan Bernstein (Wayne Hills HS).

Defenders- Brian Hessemer (Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS), Christian Nogueira (Kearny HS), Rob Arent (New Providence HS), Kevin Brown (Wayne Valley HS), Matt Beverin (Glen Rock HS), Zackary Woerner (Atlantic City HS).

Midfielders- Daniel Korenyi (Cinaminson HS), Marco Zanfardino (St. Benedicts HS), Giovanni Zammillo (Morris Catholic HS), John Fiorenzo (Ramapo HS), Manny Caicedo (Clifton HS), Eric Card (Vernon Township HS).

Forwards- Ibraham Kamara (North Brunswick HS), CJ Crooks (Seton Hall Prep), Luiz Bento (Harrison HS), Rodrigo Santiago (Morris Hills HS), Tyler Tompkins (North Hunterdon HS), Mike DeVizio (Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS), Kyle Bethel (Howell HS).

Coaches- Mike Rusek (Harrison HS), Thomas Breznitsky (Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS).

New York
Goalkeepers- Alex Aurrichio (Half Hollow Hills West HS), Ryan Goettel (Cicero-North Syracuse HS).

Defenders- David Neumann (Arlington HS), Greg Bennett (Kenmore West HS), Pat Cantwell (West Islip HS), Marlon Letlow (Roosevelt HS).

Midfielders- Matt Kristek (Vestal HS), TJ Popolizio (Shenendehowa HS), Byrant Knibbs (Pine Bush HS), Matt Labriola (Chaminade HS), Joshua Faga (McQuaid HS), Scott Zorn (Churchville-Chili HS), Biko Edwards (MLK HS), Craig Santangelo (Sayville HS).

Forwards- Will Ogden (Byram Hills HS), Lawrence Papaleo (Syracuse CBA), Nathan Bourdeau (Baldwinsville HS), Matt Schuber (Webster Thomas HS).

Coaches- Martin Jacobson (MLK HS), Mickey Cohen (MLK HS).