New York Yankees, Manchester City usher in 20th MLS Franchise

by Dave Martinez Posted on 05/21/2013

Major League Soccer has it’s 20th franchise in New York City.

In a surprise announcement, MLS has revealed the addition of their newest club – New York City Football Club – which will be owned and operated by Manchester City and the New York Yankees. They are expected to debut during the 2015 MLS season in a venue that is yet to be determined.

“We proudly welcome two of the most prestigious professional global sports organizations to Major League Soccer,” Garber said in a statement released by the league. “This is a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights in this country. The New York area is home to more than 19 million people, and we look forward to an intense crosstown rivalry between New York City Football Club and the New York Red Bulls that will captivate this great city.”

“New York is a legendary sports town, as well as a thriving global city with a rapidly expanding soccer fan-base,” said Ferran Soriano, CEO of Manchester City. “We are thrilled to contribute to the energy and growth of New York City Soccer. In the Yankees, we have found the absolute best partner for developing a world-class sports organization and a winning team that will carry the New York City Football Club name with pride.”

Manchester City will be the team’s majority owner while the Yankees will take an “active role in the ownership group.” What their stake in the team is yet to be known but they will lend the service of current President Randy Levine as a point man for the club.

Posted in Connecticut, Local, MLS, New Jersey, New York, New York City FC, News, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Five Lessons: New York Red Bulls 1-0 LA Galaxy

by Dave Martinez Posted on 05/21/2013
Rob Tringali/New York Red Bulls
Rob Tringali/New York Red Bulls

A statement game? New York Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke didn’t seem to think so.

“Well I mean I don’t believe I said it was a measuring stick in a way,” he noted. “I think, like I said, it was the potential for three points.

“You know, losing today is not going to put us in the bottom; winning today is not going to show us to the MLS Cup. It’s a very good quality team and I’ve watched LA for years now like everybody has. They’re very good at what they do. I think that come August, September, they’re going to make their run again. They can only get better. Just watching the way Bruce [Arena] has them playing and their off-ball movement especially is impressive and I think it gave us fits in the first half. Second half, like I said, I think we came out with a better mentality and we possessed the ball better than we did in the first half and got the ball moving.”

On the surface, he is right. After all, the season is young and New York are still coming together as a team. However, a win against the defending MLS Cup Champions always carries a bit more weight.

It wasn’t a dominating performance for the home side, nor was it all that memorable – well, at least until that Tim Cahill header. However, it was consistent with the team’s recent play – ugly, resilient and effective. That formula has the team on a six game unbeaten run.

What can be taken from the result? We break it down for you in our “Five Lessons:”

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Posted in LA Galaxy, Local, MLS, New Jersey, New York | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

MLS Spotlight: Sounders back to form after win v. Dallas

by Christian Araos Posted on 05/20/2013
(Image, SoundersFC.com)
(Image, SoundersFC.com)

BY CHRISTIAN ARAOS
Staff Writer

What makes the Seattle Sounders good? The easy answer is their attack. Lamar Neagle has three goals in two games while his strike partner, Eddie Johnson recorded a brace in last Saturday’s 4-2 win against FC Dallas.

The Sounders have scored four goals in two straight games which is an obvious sign that they are back to their old selves again but it is the stabilizing presence in the midfield that is proving to be the difference so far.

When the Sounders started off the season on a losing foot, I noted that someone had to come in and take the load off of Ozzie Alonso. Alonso was overworking himself trying to be creator and destroyer – and it did more harm than good.

Fortunately for Alonso and Seattle, the emergence of Alex Morgan’s boyfriend (aka Servando Carrasco) at the defensive midfield role has done just that.
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Posted in MLS, Seattle Sounders, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Red Bulls Petke praises Galaxy’s Bruce Arena

by Dave Martinez Posted on 05/20/2013
(Image, Rob Tringali/New York Red Bulls)
(Image, Rob Tringali/New York Red Bulls)

What kind of commentary does LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena – arguably the greatest manager in American soccer history – have to offer a rookie head coach in New York Red Bulls boss Mike Petke?

Hey, nice duds!

“He asked me if this was a new suit,” Petke said with a smile, “which I thought was phenomenal.”

When comparing Arena’s rain-drenched tracksuit to Petke’s three-piece attire and matching trench coat, perhaps the veteran coach meant it as a compliment. Perhaps not.

Of course, fashion wasn’t the topic of conversation when the two met at the Montclair training grounds last Friday and likely wasn’t the center of their talks after the Red Bulls dramatic 1-0 win over the Galaxy either.

While Petke downplayed the importance of a victory against LA all week long, he did share his personal joy in facing one of the most revered bosses in American soccer today.
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Posted in Interviews, LA Galaxy, Local, MLS, New Jersey, New York, New York Red Bulls, News, Results | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Sky Blue continue dominating run with 3-0 win over Seattle

by Dave Martinez Posted on 05/20/2013
(Image, Sky Blue FC Website)
(Image, Sky Blue FC Website)

TUKWILA, Wash. (Sunday, May 19, 2013) – Sky Blue FC (5-1-1, 16 points) continued its best start in franchise history on Sunday night, defeating the host Seattle Reign FC (0-6-1, 1 point) in a third straight shutout victory, 3-0.

The visiting side got on the board first with an 9th minute tally from Australian forward Lisa De Vanna, concluding the scoring in the second half with goals from Canadian playmaker Sophie Schmidt (79th) and midfielder Taylor Lytle (87th). The shutout was the fourth of the season for Sky Blue FC goalkeeper Brittany Cameron, who currently leads the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in that statistical category.

“It was a difficult game with the quick turnaround and playing against a team that is working hard for its first win,” Sky Blue FC head coach Jim Gabarra stated. “We started out pretty well and got a fairly early goal. We probably could have added a couple more in the first half, but we left them in the game. In the end, it was a good win even though the score line was a little overstated because Seattle played really hard and created some chances. Overall, I’m just glad to get out of here with the win and another clean slate.”
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Posted in Local, New Jersey, New York, News, NWSL, Sky Blue, US Soccer, USWNT | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cahill leads New York Red Bulls to victory over Galaxy

by Dave Martinez Posted on 05/19/2013
(Image, New York Red Bulls facebook)
(Image, New York Red Bulls facebook)

For the third time in five matches, New York Red Bulls Designated Player Tim Cahill came up big when the team needed him most.

The Australian International followed a beautifully placed Juninho cross into the box and stuck a header past LA Galaxy keeper Carlo Cudicini to steal a 1-0 victory in front of a record tying home crowd of 25,219.

“It’s a huge win for us and the organization,” Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke said. “It’s a quality team. I thought they had the better of us for usre in the first half. I thought we had very good moments in the first half but I thought they had the better play. It’s a team that’s won two championships, playing the same style that they’ve had enough time to perfect it and make it their own in a way.”

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Posted in LA Galaxy, Local, MLS, New Jersey, New York, New York Red Bulls, News, Results | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Watch: Red Bulls, Galaxy last match at Red Bull Arena

by Dave Martinez Posted on 05/19/2013

The New York Red Bulls traveled to the Home Depot center last year in their one and only encounter against the Galaxy.

Their last match at Red Bull Arena? You have to look back to 2011 and their 1-0 loss in the playoffs which will best be remembered by a confrontation between Rafa Marquez and Landon Donovan. It also turned out to be the final time David Beckham would feature in a match against New York.

Check out the video recap and highlights:

Posted in LA Galaxy, Local, MLS, New Jersey, New York, New York Red Bulls, Results, Video | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

WATCH: Henry’s MLS Goal of the Week (South Ward View)

by Dave Martinez Posted on 05/17/2013

Is it any surprise? For the second time this season, New York Red Bulls captain Thierry Henry earned MLS Goal of the Week honors.

We supplied you with the traditional view shortly after the notch. NewYorkRedBulls.com offered a view from four camera angles.

But here is the best view in the house – from the South Ward. Give, as Shep Messing put it, “The Goal of the Year … Goal of the Decade” one more view.

(Hat tip to the great Facebook Vipers Nest crew)

Posted in MLS, New York Red Bulls, News, Results, Video | 2 Comments