Preseason opens as Metro tops Atlante on PKs
February 9, 2011 (Official Game Summary)
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0:0
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(3:4)
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New York |
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The New York Red Bulls earned their first win in their 2011 preseason with a victory over Mexican side, Atlante FC, at Andres Quintana Roo. After the game ended in a scoreless draw, the teams went a penalty kick shootout. Atlante had a chance to win but goalkeeper Moises Munoz's spot kick was saved by Red Bulls goalkeeper Greg Sutton. Austin da Luz ended up converting the game-winning penalty kick as Atlante's Sonny Guadarrama hit his shot off the left post in the sixth round.
The Red Bulls, returning after a 2010 which saw them win the Eastern Conference regular season title, had the first scoring chance of the match three minutes in, as midfielder Dane Richards skipped past two defenders to the endline and found Juan Agudelo, whose close range shot missed the target.
In the 15th minute, Atlante threatened New York's net when Reimond Manco's 20-yard blast was stopped by Sutton. Richards again menaced the Atlante defense soon after, gathering a Tony Tchani through ball, cutting to his left foot and pulling an attempt just past the right post.
With eight minutes left in the period, Atlante nearly put its name on the scoresheet. Christian Bermudez streaked down the left wing with space and found Manco by the penalty spot. However, Manco one-timed his shot over the bar.
The Red Bulls changed all of their field players at halftime while Atlante made six substitutions and had the first scoring opportunity eight minutes in. Mario Ortiz took the ball on the right side and sent a low cross that Guadarrama re-directed on-target, but Sutton sprawled out to keep the game scoreless.
Sutton made two huge saves with eight minutes left in the match. First, he stuffed forward Giancarlo Maldonado at the top of the box. The ball floated and Maldanado's ensuing bicycle kick was kicked away by the Canadian goalkeeper. Moments later, Maldanado created enough space for himself to slide a shot that trickled past the left post. Fellow substitute Luis Angel Landin was able to get past Sutton in the 88th minute but was denied by the right post.
The penalty shootout was tied 3-3 in the final round with Munoz having the opportunity to give Atlante the victory. However, Sutton guessed correctly, diving to his left to parry away his counterpart's shot. After da Luz rifled his attempt into the back of the net, Guadarrama stepped up and poked his shot off the left post to give New York the win.
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