Red Bulls look to make gains vs. Revs
Heated I-95 battle pits Eastern Conference contenders
MLSnet.com Staff
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MLS Career: 40 games; FC/gm: 28.2; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 12; pens: 12
Games involving Revolution: P8 W1 L1 T6; FC/gm: 29.4; Y/gm: 4.3; R: 3; pens: 1
Games involving Red Bulls: P8 W2 L1 T5; FC/gm: 31.8; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 5; pens: 3 INJURY REPORT: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION - OUT: MF Joe Franchino (R peroneal tendon surgery); QUESTIONABLE: MF Steve Ralston (flu/L knee sprain); FW Pat Noonan (R groin strain); DF Jay Heaps (L calf strain); PROBABLE: DF Michael Parkhurst (R knee sprain) ... NEW YORK RED BULLS - OUT: MF Dema Kovalenko (facial injuries); MF Santino Quaranta (R toe sprain); DOUBTFUL: MF Chris Karcz (R ankle sprain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Claudio Reyna (R groin strain) SUSPENDED: none
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: NE: Jeff Larentowicz, Khano Smith ... NY: Dane Richards
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: NE: Andy Dorman, Jay Heaps, Avery John, Shalrie Joseph, James Riley, Wells Thompson ... NY: Jozy Altidore, Dane Richards Kevin Goldthwaite
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (44 meetings): Revolution 22 wins (3 shootout), 80 goals ... Red Bulls 16 wins (2 shootout), 77 goals ... Draws 6
AT FOXBOROUGH: (21 meetings): Revolution 14 wins (1 shootout), 43 goals ... Red Bulls 4 wins (2 shootout), 27 goals ... Draws 3
• This is the second of three meetings between the I-95 rivals this season, the only one to be played at Gillette Stadium. They conclude the league season series at the Meadowlands on Sept. 22.
• A year ago, the Revolution won the season series with ease, winning the last three meetings (both at Gillette Stadium) after they played to a scoreless draw in East Rutherford.
• The Revolution have won the last five home meetings between the clubs and haven't lost to New York on Route 1 since June 29, 2002, a span of nine league games (7-0-2).
• Last year's 2-0 victory by the Revolution at Giants Stadium in the season series finale between the teams was their first win in Jersey since winning both league encounters in the 2003 season, then also claiming a 2-0 victory in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals. But the Revolution have come away with points now in their last three visits to East Rutherford.
• Coaches record: Steve Nicol vs. NY: P21 W12 L4 D5 ... Bruce Arena v NE: P15 W9 L6 D0
LAST MEETING (MLS)
7/14: NY 0, NE 1 (Dorman 38)
• The Revolution got a first-half goal from Andy Dorman and a history-making assist from Steve Ralston and made it stand up for a 1-0 victory at Giants Stadium on July 14.
• The Red Bulls found the woodwork twice in the early going through Clint Mathis and Juan Pablo Angel, but it was the Revolution who scored the game's only goal in the 38th minute.
• Ralston started the play with a backheel in the center circle to Shalrie Joseph, and he hit a brilliant first-time ball over the left side of the New York defense for Andy Dorman to run onto. After a touch, Dorman lashed a low drive inside the far post from just outside the area for his seventh goal on the season.
• Angel's game ended in frustration when he was sent off at the 90-minute mark by referee Ramon Hernandez after delivering an elbow to Joseph's face. It was the fourth consecutive game he'd gone without scoring after hitting for goals in six games in a row.
• Here's Nicol's team (3-4-1-2): Matt Reis - Jay Heaps, Michael Parkhurst, James Riley - Steve Ralston, Shalrie Joseph, Jeff Larentowicz, Khano Smith (Wells Thompson 67) - Andy Dorman - Taylor Twellman, Pat Noonan (Adam Cristman 78). Substitutes Not Used: Gary Flood, Kyle Helton, Avery John, Brad Knighton, Marshall Leonard
• Here's Arena's team (4-4-2): Jon Conway - Hunter Freeman, Jeff Parke, Seth Stammler, Kevin Goldthwaite - Dane Richards, Claudio Reyna, Joe Vide, Clint Mathis (Dave van den Bergh 62) - Juan Pablo Angel, John Wolyniec (Santino Quaranta 76). Substitutes Not Used: Danny Cepero, Elie Ikangu, Chris Leitch, Markus Schopp, Sinisa Ubiparipovic NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
The New England Revolution maintained their advantage atop the Eastern Conference, defeating the Kansas City Wizards for the second time in less than three weeks, 1-0 at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday evening. The Revolution have 39 points from 22 games, three points ahead of D.C. United and six ahead of the New York Red Bulls, while two better than Houston Dynamo for the league's best record.
LAST MATCH
• The Wizards were returning to action after a 17-day layoff, their last match a 2-0 loss to the Revolution in New England. Since that match, the Revs had played three games, a win against the Galaxy sandwiched by a pair of 3-0 losses.
• The home side was showing the effects of their break, but the Revolution didn't break through until the 72nd minute. Shalrie Joseph won the ball in midfield and sprung Khano Smith on the left on a quick counter. Smith carried into the box until rolling a cross to the far post for a perfectly timed run from Taylor Twellman, who came sliding in and tapped it into the empty goal for his 10th goal on the campaign.
• Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo made one change to the team that lost to the Revolution on Aug. 2. Sasha Victorine was held out of the starting lineup for the first time all season, Yura Movsisyan coming in to partner Eddie Johnson in attack as Davy Arnaud moved to the right of midfield.
• Revolution head coach Steve Nicol made one change to the team that lost 3-0 to the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Pat Noonan was out with a groin injury, so Adam Cristman returned to his role partnering Taylor Twellman in attack.
• Here's Nicol's team (3-4-1-2): Matt Reis - Jay Heaps (James Riley 46), Michael Parkhurst, Avery John - Wells Thompson, Jeff Larentowicz, Shalrie Joseph, Khano Smith - Andy Dorman - Taylor Twellman, Adam Cristman. Substitutes Not Used: Gary Flood, Kyle Helton, Marshall Leonard, Pat Noonan, Doug Warren
TEAM NEWS
• After two 3-0 losses in their previous three games, and playing the back end of a two-game road trip over four days, the Revolution were challenged for the Wizards match.
• "We asked the players before the game to show they had the passion and desire for this game. After our last performance we weren't sure," Nicol said. "Tonight we won the battle, and you saw exactly what we are made of. The referee didn't give us anything and we still kept our cool. We capitalized on our chances and showed we were the better team tonight."
• The Revolution just got off the plane from Colorado and went right to work, and Wizards coach Curt Onalfo said he was surprised with the energy the Revolution brought to the game.
• "We had a practice yesterday and I think that helped," Khano Smith said. "We just came on strong and tried to get on top from the beginning and then we got a goal. We protected after that and we got it."
• The Revolution's last five results have swung wildly between a shutout, allowing three goals, a shutout, allowing three goals, and then another shutout (the ninth of the year in 22 games).
• "The difference was the defense, the work we put in," said Twellman. "The back three and the midfield were top-notch -- that's the engine of this team. We've been frustrated, the losses to D.C. (3-0) and Colorado were uncharacteristic of us. We wanted to bounce back from adversity and show what we could do."
• Said Michael Parkhurst to The Boston Globe. "Our midfielders closed them down and did not give them time to pick up their heads to find Eddie and their forwards, and that makes our life a lot easier. It was good to have a quick turnaround. Obviously, any professional does not want to put out a performance like we did Thursday -- it was embarrassing. But we showed a lot of courage and fight and came out on top in most challenges. We take pride in getting shutouts and this makes up a little for that three-spot in Colorado."
• The game's only goal came on a classic counterattack. Shalrie Joseph won the ball in the midfield and played it wide to midfielder Khano Smith. He carried into the area before making a crisp pass that hit Twellman in stride as he ran toward the right post, sliding in to knock it into an empty net. It was Twellman's fifth game winning goal this season.
• "Khano, he's still learning, and the more consistent he becomes, the more dangerous he's going to be," said Nicol. "I wouldn't like to play defense against him, with his pace. And Taylor took the goal like a true center forward."
• With Noonan hobbled, Steve Ralston again stayed at home, as he did for the Colorado match, with the flu. Then at halftime, Jay Heaps was forced off with a calf injury. The three are all questionable for the Red Bulls match.
• "We've set a standard for ourselves on Sunday night," said Nicol. "That's the level of consistency and play we want to have every game. The real key for us is not to have a great 90 minutes one week and a poor one the next." NEW YORK RED BULLS
The New York Red Bulls saw their two-game winning streak come to a quick end, seeing Jaime Moreno make history in a 3-1 D.C. United victory on Wednesday evening at RFK Stadium. The Red Bulls now have 33 points from 21 matches, falling into third place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind United and six behind the Revolution.
LAST MATCH
• United were undefeated in league play in the month of August, while the Red Bulls came in with four wins in their last six games after the thrilling 5-4 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy the previous weekend.
• The last time the teams had met in the nation's capital, a 10-man United exploded for a 4-2 win as Ben Olsen scored a hat trick - and with two goals in the opening eight minutes, it looked they had picked up where they left off. After just six minutes, Fred fired a shot that N.Y. goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus could not hold, and Olsen came in to knock home the rebound.
• Less than two minutes later United doubled the lead. Set free down the right flank, Olsen hooked in a cross that took a deflection to the back post where Christian Gomez was all alone, and he had just to stoop to nod the ball into the open goal.
• The Red Bulls pulled level in the 21st minute. United defender Marc Burch was caught in possession and fell, and as he and Juan Pablo Angel went to the ground, the ball squirted into the area. Dane Richards tried to get to it and as Troy Perkins came sliding out, he clipped Richards and referee Ricardo Salazar pointed to the spot. Angel sent Perkins the wrong way in converting for his 13th goal on the season.
• But three minutes after the break, Hunter Freeman tripped up Luciano Emilio from behind as he ran onto a neat Moreno pass in the box, and Salazar again ruled for the maximum penalty. With the RFK faithful in rapt anticipation, Moreno put it inside the left side netting for career league goal No. 109, making him the sole leader all-time, breaking the tie he held with RSL head coach Jason Kreis.
• Red Bulls manager Bruce Arena made two changes to the team that defeated the LA Galaxy 5-4 the Saturday before. Carlos Mendes returned to central defense in place of Seth Stammler, and John Wolyniec came in for Jozy Altidore to partner Juan Pablo Angel in attack.
• Here's Arena's team (4-4-2): Ronald Waterreus - Hunter Freeman (Kevin Goldthwaite 85), Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Chris Leitch - Dane Richards, Clint Mathis, Joe Vide, Dave van den Bergh (Jozy Altidore 46) - Juan Pablo Angel, John Wolyniec (Mike Magee 61). Substitutes Not Used: Jon Conway, Markus Schopp, Seth Stammler, Sinisa Ubiparipovic
• "Mental errors -- a lot of mental errors tonight," said Arena. "We obviously made a few glaring mistakes especially on the first goal and the third goal. Positioning was poor and they capitalized on it."
TEAM NEWS
• The Red Bulls have now allowed seven goals over their last two matches, though they've won one and lost one. "We gave up seven goals in two games and that's not going to win it especially if we're not scoring more than seven," said Red Bulls defender Jeff Parke. "We can score five the other day but we only got one today and that is not going to win the game for us."
• Said Arena: "Unless you score four or five, then, yeah (it's not good)," about his team giving up nine goals in their last four games that included a 3-0 shutout win against Toronto.
• United said they were looking to come out quickly and take advantage of any letdown the Red Bulls would have after the high-profile match at the weekend.
• "We played for 90 minutes. We just got off a game on Saturday, a emotional game against L.A. with the score 5-4, a hard-fought game. We kept fighting at that was a positive thing we can take, because that'll go a long way in this league," said Clint Mathis. "Granted we lost a conference game, but we've just got to focus and rebuild on that work rate in the dying minutes. I think we three great chances in the last 15 minutes. So, you need build off that and, hopefully, we can go into Boston and get a different result."
• Even with nine goals for in the last three games, Arena has felt his team's attack is still too inconsistent. "The ball is up in the air too much. We have to be able to pass better out of the back. We have to combine through the midfield a little bit better. But there are a lot of games left to try to make it better," Arena said.
• With the win, United won the Atlantic Cup - given to the winner of the season series between the clubs - for the fifth time in six years. "We were just giving up too many chances and they just got at us. We talked about coming out strong and we didn't go out and start well," Jeff Parke said. "It's our own fault. They've got our number right now, but we've got to get over it and move on to the next game."
• The capper came when Moreno scored his historic goal against the only other club he's played for in the history of MLS, and came against the coach who led United for the first three seasons and won a pair of MLS Cup, including in 1997 when Moreno was named man of the match.
• "I'm real proud to see it, though I'm not happy it came against our team," said a smiling Arena, who has maintained a friendship with the Bolivian striker. "He's had a marvelous career and I'm glad I've gotten to see so much of it. I'm honored to have been part of it. ... He's evolved into one of, if not the finest, players in the history of this league."
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION v NEW YORK RED BULLS
GILLETTE STADIUM, Foxborough, Mass.
7:30 p.m. ET (TV38; MSG)
Aug. 25, 2007 (WEEK 21) / MLS Game #133
MLS Career: 40 games; FC/gm: 28.2; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 12; pens: 12
Games involving Revolution: P8 W1 L1 T6; FC/gm: 29.4; Y/gm: 4.3; R: 3; pens: 1
Games involving Red Bulls: P8 W2 L1 T5; FC/gm: 31.8; Y/gm: 3.4; R: 5; pens: 3 INJURY REPORT: NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION - OUT: MF Joe Franchino (R peroneal tendon surgery); QUESTIONABLE: MF Steve Ralston (flu/L knee sprain); FW Pat Noonan (R groin strain); DF Jay Heaps (L calf strain); PROBABLE: DF Michael Parkhurst (R knee sprain) ... NEW YORK RED BULLS - OUT: MF Dema Kovalenko (facial injuries); MF Santino Quaranta (R toe sprain); DOUBTFUL: MF Chris Karcz (R ankle sprain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Claudio Reyna (R groin strain) SUSPENDED: none
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: NE: Jeff Larentowicz, Khano Smith ... NY: Dane Richards
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: NE: Andy Dorman, Jay Heaps, Avery John, Shalrie Joseph, James Riley, Wells Thompson ... NY: Jozy Altidore, Dane Richards Kevin Goldthwaite
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (44 meetings): Revolution 22 wins (3 shootout), 80 goals ... Red Bulls 16 wins (2 shootout), 77 goals ... Draws 6
AT FOXBOROUGH: (21 meetings): Revolution 14 wins (1 shootout), 43 goals ... Red Bulls 4 wins (2 shootout), 27 goals ... Draws 3
• This is the second of three meetings between the I-95 rivals this season, the only one to be played at Gillette Stadium. They conclude the league season series at the Meadowlands on Sept. 22.
• A year ago, the Revolution won the season series with ease, winning the last three meetings (both at Gillette Stadium) after they played to a scoreless draw in East Rutherford.
• The Revolution have won the last five home meetings between the clubs and haven't lost to New York on Route 1 since June 29, 2002, a span of nine league games (7-0-2).
• Last year's 2-0 victory by the Revolution at Giants Stadium in the season series finale between the teams was their first win in Jersey since winning both league encounters in the 2003 season, then also claiming a 2-0 victory in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals. But the Revolution have come away with points now in their last three visits to East Rutherford.
• Coaches record: Steve Nicol vs. NY: P21 W12 L4 D5 ... Bruce Arena v NE: P15 W9 L6 D0
LAST MEETING (MLS)
7/14: NY 0, NE 1 (Dorman 38)
• The Revolution got a first-half goal from Andy Dorman and a history-making assist from Steve Ralston and made it stand up for a 1-0 victory at Giants Stadium on July 14.
• The Red Bulls found the woodwork twice in the early going through Clint Mathis and Juan Pablo Angel, but it was the Revolution who scored the game's only goal in the 38th minute.
• Ralston started the play with a backheel in the center circle to Shalrie Joseph, and he hit a brilliant first-time ball over the left side of the New York defense for Andy Dorman to run onto. After a touch, Dorman lashed a low drive inside the far post from just outside the area for his seventh goal on the season.
• Angel's game ended in frustration when he was sent off at the 90-minute mark by referee Ramon Hernandez after delivering an elbow to Joseph's face. It was the fourth consecutive game he'd gone without scoring after hitting for goals in six games in a row.
• Here's Nicol's team (3-4-1-2): Matt Reis - Jay Heaps, Michael Parkhurst, James Riley - Steve Ralston, Shalrie Joseph, Jeff Larentowicz, Khano Smith (Wells Thompson 67) - Andy Dorman - Taylor Twellman, Pat Noonan (Adam Cristman 78). Substitutes Not Used: Gary Flood, Kyle Helton, Avery John, Brad Knighton, Marshall Leonard
• Here's Arena's team (4-4-2): Jon Conway - Hunter Freeman, Jeff Parke, Seth Stammler, Kevin Goldthwaite - Dane Richards, Claudio Reyna, Joe Vide, Clint Mathis (Dave van den Bergh 62) - Juan Pablo Angel, John Wolyniec (Santino Quaranta 76). Substitutes Not Used: Danny Cepero, Elie Ikangu, Chris Leitch, Markus Schopp, Sinisa Ubiparipovic NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
The New England Revolution maintained their advantage atop the Eastern Conference, defeating the Kansas City Wizards for the second time in less than three weeks, 1-0 at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday evening. The Revolution have 39 points from 22 games, three points ahead of D.C. United and six ahead of the New York Red Bulls, while two better than Houston Dynamo for the league's best record.
LAST MATCH
• The Wizards were returning to action after a 17-day layoff, their last match a 2-0 loss to the Revolution in New England. Since that match, the Revs had played three games, a win against the Galaxy sandwiched by a pair of 3-0 losses.
• The home side was showing the effects of their break, but the Revolution didn't break through until the 72nd minute. Shalrie Joseph won the ball in midfield and sprung Khano Smith on the left on a quick counter. Smith carried into the box until rolling a cross to the far post for a perfectly timed run from Taylor Twellman, who came sliding in and tapped it into the empty goal for his 10th goal on the campaign.
• Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo made one change to the team that lost to the Revolution on Aug. 2. Sasha Victorine was held out of the starting lineup for the first time all season, Yura Movsisyan coming in to partner Eddie Johnson in attack as Davy Arnaud moved to the right of midfield.
• Revolution head coach Steve Nicol made one change to the team that lost 3-0 to the Colorado Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Pat Noonan was out with a groin injury, so Adam Cristman returned to his role partnering Taylor Twellman in attack.
• Here's Nicol's team (3-4-1-2): Matt Reis - Jay Heaps (James Riley 46), Michael Parkhurst, Avery John - Wells Thompson, Jeff Larentowicz, Shalrie Joseph, Khano Smith - Andy Dorman - Taylor Twellman, Adam Cristman. Substitutes Not Used: Gary Flood, Kyle Helton, Marshall Leonard, Pat Noonan, Doug Warren
TEAM NEWS
• After two 3-0 losses in their previous three games, and playing the back end of a two-game road trip over four days, the Revolution were challenged for the Wizards match.
• "We asked the players before the game to show they had the passion and desire for this game. After our last performance we weren't sure," Nicol said. "Tonight we won the battle, and you saw exactly what we are made of. The referee didn't give us anything and we still kept our cool. We capitalized on our chances and showed we were the better team tonight."
• The Revolution just got off the plane from Colorado and went right to work, and Wizards coach Curt Onalfo said he was surprised with the energy the Revolution brought to the game.
• "We had a practice yesterday and I think that helped," Khano Smith said. "We just came on strong and tried to get on top from the beginning and then we got a goal. We protected after that and we got it."
• The Revolution's last five results have swung wildly between a shutout, allowing three goals, a shutout, allowing three goals, and then another shutout (the ninth of the year in 22 games).
• "The difference was the defense, the work we put in," said Twellman. "The back three and the midfield were top-notch -- that's the engine of this team. We've been frustrated, the losses to D.C. (3-0) and Colorado were uncharacteristic of us. We wanted to bounce back from adversity and show what we could do."
• Said Michael Parkhurst to The Boston Globe. "Our midfielders closed them down and did not give them time to pick up their heads to find Eddie and their forwards, and that makes our life a lot easier. It was good to have a quick turnaround. Obviously, any professional does not want to put out a performance like we did Thursday -- it was embarrassing. But we showed a lot of courage and fight and came out on top in most challenges. We take pride in getting shutouts and this makes up a little for that three-spot in Colorado."
• The game's only goal came on a classic counterattack. Shalrie Joseph won the ball in the midfield and played it wide to midfielder Khano Smith. He carried into the area before making a crisp pass that hit Twellman in stride as he ran toward the right post, sliding in to knock it into an empty net. It was Twellman's fifth game winning goal this season.
• "Khano, he's still learning, and the more consistent he becomes, the more dangerous he's going to be," said Nicol. "I wouldn't like to play defense against him, with his pace. And Taylor took the goal like a true center forward."
• With Noonan hobbled, Steve Ralston again stayed at home, as he did for the Colorado match, with the flu. Then at halftime, Jay Heaps was forced off with a calf injury. The three are all questionable for the Red Bulls match.
• "We've set a standard for ourselves on Sunday night," said Nicol. "That's the level of consistency and play we want to have every game. The real key for us is not to have a great 90 minutes one week and a poor one the next." NEW YORK RED BULLS
The New York Red Bulls saw their two-game winning streak come to a quick end, seeing Jaime Moreno make history in a 3-1 D.C. United victory on Wednesday evening at RFK Stadium. The Red Bulls now have 33 points from 21 matches, falling into third place in the Eastern Conference, three points behind United and six behind the Revolution.
LAST MATCH
• United were undefeated in league play in the month of August, while the Red Bulls came in with four wins in their last six games after the thrilling 5-4 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy the previous weekend.
• The last time the teams had met in the nation's capital, a 10-man United exploded for a 4-2 win as Ben Olsen scored a hat trick - and with two goals in the opening eight minutes, it looked they had picked up where they left off. After just six minutes, Fred fired a shot that N.Y. goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus could not hold, and Olsen came in to knock home the rebound.
• Less than two minutes later United doubled the lead. Set free down the right flank, Olsen hooked in a cross that took a deflection to the back post where Christian Gomez was all alone, and he had just to stoop to nod the ball into the open goal.
• The Red Bulls pulled level in the 21st minute. United defender Marc Burch was caught in possession and fell, and as he and Juan Pablo Angel went to the ground, the ball squirted into the area. Dane Richards tried to get to it and as Troy Perkins came sliding out, he clipped Richards and referee Ricardo Salazar pointed to the spot. Angel sent Perkins the wrong way in converting for his 13th goal on the season.
• But three minutes after the break, Hunter Freeman tripped up Luciano Emilio from behind as he ran onto a neat Moreno pass in the box, and Salazar again ruled for the maximum penalty. With the RFK faithful in rapt anticipation, Moreno put it inside the left side netting for career league goal No. 109, making him the sole leader all-time, breaking the tie he held with RSL head coach Jason Kreis.
• Red Bulls manager Bruce Arena made two changes to the team that defeated the LA Galaxy 5-4 the Saturday before. Carlos Mendes returned to central defense in place of Seth Stammler, and John Wolyniec came in for Jozy Altidore to partner Juan Pablo Angel in attack.
• Here's Arena's team (4-4-2): Ronald Waterreus - Hunter Freeman (Kevin Goldthwaite 85), Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Chris Leitch - Dane Richards, Clint Mathis, Joe Vide, Dave van den Bergh (Jozy Altidore 46) - Juan Pablo Angel, John Wolyniec (Mike Magee 61). Substitutes Not Used: Jon Conway, Markus Schopp, Seth Stammler, Sinisa Ubiparipovic
• "Mental errors -- a lot of mental errors tonight," said Arena. "We obviously made a few glaring mistakes especially on the first goal and the third goal. Positioning was poor and they capitalized on it."
TEAM NEWS
• The Red Bulls have now allowed seven goals over their last two matches, though they've won one and lost one. "We gave up seven goals in two games and that's not going to win it especially if we're not scoring more than seven," said Red Bulls defender Jeff Parke. "We can score five the other day but we only got one today and that is not going to win the game for us."
• Said Arena: "Unless you score four or five, then, yeah (it's not good)," about his team giving up nine goals in their last four games that included a 3-0 shutout win against Toronto.
• United said they were looking to come out quickly and take advantage of any letdown the Red Bulls would have after the high-profile match at the weekend.
• "We played for 90 minutes. We just got off a game on Saturday, a emotional game against L.A. with the score 5-4, a hard-fought game. We kept fighting at that was a positive thing we can take, because that'll go a long way in this league," said Clint Mathis. "Granted we lost a conference game, but we've just got to focus and rebuild on that work rate in the dying minutes. I think we three great chances in the last 15 minutes. So, you need build off that and, hopefully, we can go into Boston and get a different result."
• Even with nine goals for in the last three games, Arena has felt his team's attack is still too inconsistent. "The ball is up in the air too much. We have to be able to pass better out of the back. We have to combine through the midfield a little bit better. But there are a lot of games left to try to make it better," Arena said.
• With the win, United won the Atlantic Cup - given to the winner of the season series between the clubs - for the fifth time in six years. "We were just giving up too many chances and they just got at us. We talked about coming out strong and we didn't go out and start well," Jeff Parke said. "It's our own fault. They've got our number right now, but we've got to get over it and move on to the next game."
• The capper came when Moreno scored his historic goal against the only other club he's played for in the history of MLS, and came against the coach who led United for the first three seasons and won a pair of MLS Cup, including in 1997 when Moreno was named man of the match.
• "I'm real proud to see it, though I'm not happy it came against our team," said a smiling Arena, who has maintained a friendship with the Bolivian striker. "He's had a marvelous career and I'm glad I've gotten to see so much of it. I'm honored to have been part of it. ... He's evolved into one of, if not the finest, players in the history of this league."
