CANCUN, MEXICO (Feb. 7, 2012) – The New York Red Bulls earned a 2-0 win over MLS rival FC Dallas in New York’s opening preseason match of 2012. New York and former FC Dallas striker Kenny Cooper scored the opening tally while Corey Hertzog slotted in a penalty kick in the dying moments of the match to seal the result.

The next time the two teams will face off will be Sunday, March 11 at FC Dallas Stadium at 3:00 PM ET as part of MLS First Kick. The match will televised live by NBC Sports Network – the first-ever MLS game broadcasted by the League’s new national partner, NBC.

Dane Richards was the first attacker to test the opposition, striking a shot in the fourth minute that goalkeeper Kevin Hartman dove to collect. Five minutes later, the woodwork denied FC Dallas’ Blas Perez, as his one-time blast from a Fabian Castillo feed dinged off the right upright.

Under hot and humid conditions, New York took the lead in the 33rd minute. Red Bulls defender Jan Gunnar Solli fed the ball on the right wing to Richards, who drove towards the penalty box. The Jamaican found Cooper and the big forward spun and re-directed the pass with his right foot inside the far post.

Perez again hit the right post in the 40th minute, nodding a cross against the goal frame after a quick FC Dallas restart.

Both teams changed their entire lineups to start the second half and Red Bulls guest player Jose Angulo could have made it 2-0 when he was through on goal off a Hertzog through ball. Angulo, however, was unable to keep his left-footed shot down. With 20 minutes to play, FC Dallas hit the woodwork for the third time, as Bruno Guarda’s 15-yard rocket slammed off the left post.

Hertzog sealed the result for the Red Bulls when he sent goalkeeper Chris Seitz the wrong way in the 90th minute from the penalty spot. Red Bulls defender Jonathan Borrajo was adjudged to have been fouled in the box by Christian Ibeagha, leading to the kick.

New York Red Bulls 2, FC Dallas 0

Feb. 7, 2012 – Cancun, Mexico

Preseason Match



Scoring Summary:

NY: Kenny Cooper 1 (Dane Richards 1, Jan Gunnar Solli 1) 33’

NY: Corey Hertzog 1 (penalty kick) 90’



Disciplinary Summary:

FCD: Brek Shea (caution) 41’

FCD: Bruce Guarda (caution) 48’

NY: Brandon Barklage (caution) 82’

New York Red Bulls (First Half) – Ryan Meara (GK), Jan Gunnar Solli, Markus Holgersson, Stephen Keel, Roy Miller, Dax McCarty, Victor Palsson*, Rafa Marquez, Joel Lindpere, Dane Richards, Kenny Cooper

New York Red Bulls (Second Half) – Jeremy Vuolo (GK), Jonathan Borrajo, Matt Kassel, Leobardo Alvarez*, Connor Lade, Jhonny Arteaga*, Ryan Maduro*, Brandon Barklage*, Giorgi Chirgadze* (Sacir Hot 61’), Jose Angulo*, Corey Hertzog

FC Dallas (First Half) – Kevin Hartman (GK), Zach Loyd, Ugo Ihemelu, Hernan Pertuz*, Jair Benitez, Andrew Jacobson, Ricardo Villar, Fabian Castillo, Scott Sealy*, Brek Shea, Blas Perez

FC Dallas (Second Half) – Chris Seitz (GK), Kleyner Bejarano*, Matt Hedges, Christian Ibeagha*, Scott Gordon, Bruno Guarda, Bobby Warshaw, Rodolfo Espinoza* (Andrew Wiedeman 81’), Bryan Leyva, Nicolas Gianni* (Moises Hernandez 81’), Ulises Mendivic*

* - Guest Player