Red Bulls remain undefeated with 2-0 win
The New York Red Bulls continued their unbeaten run to start the 2015 campaign with a 2-0 win over San Jose on Friday night at Red Bull Arena. Key off-season acquisition Sacha Kljestan scored his first goal as a Red Bull, and Mike Grella tacked on another to secure the win.
With the win the Red Bulls move to 3-0-2 and remain the only undefeated team in Major League Soccer. The 11 points accrued is the second-best start in team history through five games, behind only the 4-1-0 start in 2010. It also ties the longest unbeaten run the club has had to start a season, tying another 3-0-2 mark in 2007.
Home sweet RBA
Since the start of 2012, New York is tied for the best home record in MLS. The Red Bulls are 34-7-12 in that span, posting 114 points in home contests, tied for most in the league with the LA Galaxy, who visit Red Bull Arena this weekend.
The homestand continues this Sunday, April 26, when New York hosts reigning MLS Cup champs LA Galaxy in a showdown of two of the league’s hottest teams. The Galaxy sit third in the West thanks to a 3-2-2 start, but are 0-2-1 on the road in the early going, including losses at D.C. and Vancouver. Last weekend LA earned a 2-1 win over Sporting KC thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Omar Gonzalez.
Tickets for Sunday's match are available at NewYorkRedBulls.com/tickets
Top of the table
The unbeaten Red Bulls continued their ascent to the top of the Eastern Conference Standings this week. The Red Bulls currently sit in first, tied on points with New England and D.C. United, but ahead on goal differential at +5, which is also best in the league.
New York has also played less games than most of their competition, and their 2.2 points per game is the highest in the league.
We’ve got the power
The Red Bulls remain atop the major power rankings for the second-straight week after another 2-0 win at home. ESPN FC, MLSsoccer.com and Sports Illustrated’s Planet Futbol blog all have the Red Bulls in the number one spot for the second week in a row. This week’s opponent, LA Galaxy, are ranked fifth by ESPN and SI.com, and fourth by MLSsoccer.com.
Lloyd Sam named to team of the week
Lloyd Sam continued to rack up the points and the weekly MLS accolades this week. The Red Bulls winger has been named to the MLS Team of the Week for the second-straight week after recording an assist on Mike Grella’s goal in the Red Bulls 2-0 win on Friday night at Red Bull Arena.
Sam leads the Red Bulls in scoring with three goals and one assist through five games. He got his first helper of the year by laying a perfectly-weight ball across the face of goal and onto the foot of his former Leeds teammate at the back post.
The Englishman was also nominated for MLS Goal of the Week earlier this year. Sam’s stellar play has played a large role in the Red Bulls 3-0-2 start to the year, and their foothold at the top of MLS Eastern Conference Standings and power rankings.
NYRB II earn point in first road game
New York Red Bulls II earned a 1-1 road draw in Charleston on Saturday night thanks to an Anatole Abang goal in the 68th minute. The match was the first time John Wolyniec’s team has played on the road, and they become the first team to get a result against first-place Charleston this season.
Abang tied the game at one by getting on the end of a Sean Davis free kick and putting a snap header by Charleston ‘keeper Odisinel Cooper. NYRB II are back in action on Wednesday, April 22 when they take on the Richmond Kickers at 7:30 at Red Bull Arena. Tickets for the game are available by visiting www.newyorkredbulls.com/2/tickets
Red Bulls celebrate WINGS FOR LIFE Sunday at RBA
In support of spinal cord injury research, The New York Red Bulls are honored to celebrate Wings for Life Night on April 26 vs the LA Galaxy. Wings for Life is a not-for-profit research foundation with a mission of finding a cure for spinal cord injury. The organization funds world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the globe aimed at healing the injured spinal cord.
In partnership with Team LeGrand and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, we are shining a light on spinal cord injuries. For fans who use the promo code RBWFL, $3 from every ticket purchased will go directly to the Wings for Life Foundation.
Eric Legrand, who was paralyzed in a college football game in 2010 while playing for Rutgers University, will be a guest of honor on this special night and will be delivering the game ball to the players on the field.
To learn more about Wings for Life, and to purchase tickets on behalf of Wings For Life and The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, visit our Wings for Life page.
