New York Red Bulls Run Rampant on Toronto FC in 5-0 Victory

After a grueling four-game road trip where the New York Red Bulls registered a 0-1-3 record against the Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes, the Red Bulls made a triumphant return to Red Bull Arena as they throttled Toronto FC 5-0 in front of 15,269 fans.Winning for only the second time in their past 12 games, the Red Bulls finally lived up to the Southward's expectations. For one night, the Red Bulls didn't have any goalkeeping issues. Nor did they allow any goals off a set piece play. Overall, the Red Bulls played one their best games in recent memory. In doing so, they helped Greg Sutton appear as a "world beater" on Wednesday night.Granted they faced a second to last place Eastern Conference team in Toronto FC, but when a team such as the Red Bulls are unable to produce wins, any form of victory is relevant. In a game where they had the opportunity to momentarily reclaim the Eastern Conference off the Philadelphia Union, the Red Bulls didn't squander there opportunities to score and maintain leads.From the very beginning the Red Bulls aggressively attacked the net as they ravenously controlled a 10-4 advantage on ...

New York Red Bulls Are Silenced 4-2 on the Road by the Seattle Sounders

 Playing their second road game in a four-game swing, the New York Red Bulls' six-game unbeaten streak came to an end as they lost 4-2 to the Seattle Sounders on Thursday night.Even with the absence of Juan Agudelo, Rafa Marquez, Tim Ream, Luke Rodgers and Thierry Henry, who was serving a game's suspension for earning a red card last week against the Portland Timbers, the Red Bulls were able to rally from a two-goal deficit in the second half.With 46,065 fans in attendance at the newly renamed CenturyLink Field, the Seattle Sounders stuck quick, as they scored two goals in less than three minutes. Seattle's Erik Friberg and Osvaldo Alonso each scored an unassisted goal 11th and 12th minute, respectivelyDespite being down 2-0, the Red Bulls' Dane Richards provided his teammates the opportunity to get back in the game when he scored his third goal of the season in the 31st minute. Despite the outstretched effort of Seattle's GK Kasey Keller to block Dane Richards, it simply wasn't enough. In the second half, the Red Bulls were able to catch a break when Seattle's Zach Scott scored an own goal in the 58th minute for the Red Bulls. With the crowd ...

New York Red Bulls: Red Bull Arena Welcomes the Just One Soccer League

Harrison, NJ - Despite the New York Red Bulls current road trip, Red Bull Arena was very much alive and available for some of their special fans.On Tuesday June 21, 2010, Red Bull Arena opened it's doors to the children of Just One Soccer League (JOSL) for a school year-end celebration that they earned. Arranged by the coaches and board of JOSL, the children and their parents arrived to Red Bull Arena in two buses.Run by Executive Director Oscar Rodriguez, JOSL was established in 1996. It's a program which promotes soccer as a recreational alternative.By ignoring the competitive aspect of youth soccer, JOSL is a program which through their volunteers is able to educate their young participants of the importance of good sportsmanship and of investing and giving back to their community as their volunteers have exemplified time after time.Every coach involved has to possess a minimum “F” License through New Jersey Youth Soccer Association. Taking this seriously, each year JOSL hosts an “F” License Certification Course to be attended by interested coaches from North Jersey.In addition to volunteer involvement, parents are also expected to participate because while the program is a healthy alternative for their children, the parental ...

Cosmos Copa NYC 2011: Covering the Game from El Salavador’s Sidelines

The Cosmos Copa NYC 2011 officially kicked off this past Father's Day weekend as 22 Copa Teams battled to qualify for the final eight slots at the Parade Grounds, and at the College of Staten Island.After two grueling and intensive days of combative, competitive soccer, Kosovo, Trinidad & Tobago, Ivory Coast, Croatia, Senegal, El Salvador, Colombia, and Italy emerged as your victors, who will continue with their quest of becoming your Cosmos Copa NYC 2011 champions.They will now be competing against the eight 2011 NYC Elite Teams, who had already qualified due to last year's advancement to the Quarterfinal Round of NYC's World Cup. Leading the way for the 2011 NYC Elite Teams is none other than defending champions, Poland.Team Poland is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most dangerous team in the tournament. Masters of set plays, this is the team you don't want taking corner kicks, free kicks, and especially penalty kicks. They're also a good physical and transitional team that possesses deceptive speed, a la Jerry Rice.Following Poland is last year's runner-up, Jamaica.From the number of times I've seen them play, this is a team that is determined to win this ...

New York Red Bulls Rally to Tie the Portland Timbers 3-3 on Father’s Day

The New York Red Bulls overcame a two-goal deficit and a sellout crowd of 18,627 to tie the Portland Timbers 3-3 at the JELD-WEN Field on Father's Day. As a result of Sunday night's tie, the 5-2-8 Red Bulls now own sole possession of the Eastern Conference.Playing their first match of a four-game road trip, the New York Red Bulls temporarily silenced the Portland Timbers crowd when Austin da Luz registered a goal in the fifth minute of the Sunday's bizarre soccer match. Despite Portland's attempts to equalize the game, the Red Bulls played a solid first half where the scored concluded with a 1-0 Red Bull advantage.Desperately needing to end their three-game losing streak, the 5-6-3 Portland Timbers minus their suspended coach John Spencer roared back furiously as they overcame their one-goal deficit with two quick goals of their own.Portand's rally started in the 48th minute in the second half when Timbers' Jack Jewsbury rocketed a blast past Red Bulls GK Greg Sutton to level the match, 1-1.A minute later, Jewsbury played a pivotal role when he passed the ball to teammate Eric Brunner off a free kick who in turn headed to ball toward Kevin Goldthwaite who clearly ...

Gold Cup 2011: Mexico Continues to Dominate as They Advance to the Semifinals

East Rutherford, NJ - Mexico needed two second-half goals to rally from a one-goal deficit to defeat Guatemala 2-1 on Saturday night. With the victory, Mexico will face Honduras on Wednesday, June 22nd at the Reliant Stadium in Houston.For the first half, Mexico stunned the majority of the Pro-Mexico crowd of 78,807, when they allowed Guatemala to jump to a 1-0 lead thanks to Carlos Ruiz's goal in the fifth minute of match. Ruiz, who seconds earlier accepted a long "Hail Mary" pass from teammate Elias Enoc Vasquez, closed the deal when he defeated Mexican defender Hector Monreno and GK Alfredo Talavera for the score.With the goal, Guatemala continued to aggressively attack Mexico for the remainder of the first half where they tried to make the most of their opportunity to upset El Tri. While Mexico may have possessed an 11-6 shots on goal advantage, they appeared lethargic as Guatemala continued to press the ball for a second net. If the first half was the opportunity where Guatemala punched this year's Gold Cup "Big Man on Campus" in the mouth, then it's sad to report that they were unable to mount another critical punch in the second half.Before Guatemala could muster ...

Gold Cup 2011: Honduras Wins over Costa Rica to Advance

In a match similar to a pitcher's duel in baseball, Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares and Costa Rica's goalkeeper Keylor Navas gave us a goalkeepers classic.As a result Honduras eliminated Costa Rica from the Gold Cup when "Los Catrachos" won 4-2 in penalty kicks.Despite allowing a goal in the second half, both goalkeepers played well enough to give their teams the opportunity to win. After 90 minutes of soccer, the score ended 1-1. Both valiantly played well for an additional 30 minutes (two 15-minutes halves), but the score remained 1-1.It was in the penalty kicks where Honduras was finally able to secure a win. Their kickers converted all four attempts, opposed to Costa Rica's two successful conversions.As a result, Honduras advanced to the semifinals. They will now face Mexico, who had rallied to win 2-1 over Guatemala at Reliant Stadium in Houston on Wednesday, June 22nd.Honduras' victory marked the third time that they have won over Costa Rica at the Gold Cup. Los Catrachos previously won in the 1991 semifinals and the 2005 quarterfinals.However, Honduras was very fortunate that they were able to advance on Saturday.They clearly dominated the first half and moved the ball well, appearing to be the ...

Soccer: Team Japan Set to Return Saturday for the Cosmos Copa NYC 2011

New York, NY—One fantastic thing about living in New York City is that you can visit the world. All you need is a Metrocard and a bus or subway map, and you're off.  With the Cosmos Copa NYC 2011 kicking off this Saturday, June 18th at the Parade Grounds in Brooklyn, I've made it a point to learn about as many of the Cosmos Copa Teams as I can.As well as learning about the teams themselves, I wanted to hear recommendations as for good places to eat, grab a drink, and snack.Cosmos Copa Team Japan will return to NYC's World Cup when they face Colombia on Saturday at the Parade Grounds. Their match will take place at 4 PM at Field 8. A victory would guarantee that Japan will continue their quest of winning the Cosmos Copa NYC 2011.I've only once seen Team Japan play, and this came against the defending Cosmos Copa Champions Poland. I found them to be a very entertaining team who moved the ball well. In addition, the team is not afraid to attack the net, and has a fantastic defense.Ironically enough, while I've only seen Team Japan play once, I've ...

NYC Croatia Will Make Their Cosmos Copa Debut This Saturday

New York, NY—One thing fantastic about living in New York City is that you can visit the world. All you need is a Metrocard and a bus/subway map, and you're off.  With the Cosmos Copa NYC 2011 kicking off this weekend on Saturday, June 18th at the Parade Grounds in Brooklyn, I've made it a point to learn about as many of the Cosmos Copa Teams as I can.Along with learning about the team itself, I wanted for the team to make a recommendation of where's a good place to eat and grab a drink.Cosmos Copa Team Croatia will make their debut when they face Sweden on Saturday at the Parade Grounds. Their match will take place at 8:30 a.m. at Field 11. A victory guarantees Croatia will continue their quest of winning the Cosmos Copa NYC 2011.A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to observe NYC Croatia practice. Basically, I shadowed Team President Tommy Radalj who taught me the ins and outs of running a Cosmos Copa Team. Very insightful and tons of responsibility and communication with so many different parties.Now to the team itself. I believe in any competition, there's always an intimate moment between both combatants/opponents. ...

Cosmos Copa NYC 2011: New York City’s World Cup Returns

While soccer is a game of strategy, it is also a game of passion—passion is a soccer player's best friend and worst enemy. It can motivate us to realize our dreams, but it can also become our worst nightmare.Even though it may temporarily blind one's judgement and emotions, passion always leaves the window open for adaptability and redemption. That's the beautiful thing about passion.And with the return of New York City's World Cup, this year's Cosmos Copa NYC 2011 will be full of passion.If last year's finale between Poland and Jamaica, in which Poland was victorious after prevailing 5-3 in penalties, was a classic, imagine how competitive this year's tournament may be.The event, an amateur-adult soccer tournament founded in 2009 by Spencer Dormitzer and Chris Noble and formerly recognized as "Copa NYC," will this year feature 30 New York-based teams, 29 winners, and one champion, each representing their countries in their quests to hoist the Cosmos Cup. The winning team will be declared the "Cosmos Copa City Champion," heroes whose ethnic community can be proud.Even though only one team will be declared champion, all 30 teams will have plenty to ...