Hertzog's brace helps beat Tucson amateurs
March 5, 2011 (Official Game Summary)
In the first game of their final preseason trip of the season, the New York Red Bulls defeated FC Tucson, 3-1, behind a Corey Hertzog brace and an Austin da Luz second half strike Friday night at Hi Corbett Field.
The Red Bulls, which fielded a primarily younger, reserve squad, took the lead in the 19th minute. Chris Albright played a ball over the top to an on-rushing da Luz. Da Luz, with a step on his man, found Hertzog, who put it home from eight yards out to give New York an early advantage.
New York dominated the run of play in the opening 45 minutes and Hertzog almost doubled the visitors' lead eight minutes from the intermission, heading a deflected Carl Robinson delivery over the crossbar. FC Tucson's best chance came in the last play of the half, as goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer fully extended himself to parry away a Bryan Burke shot on goal.
Hertzog extended New York's advantage in the 53rd minute, converting a penalty kick after a FC Tucson foul in the box. However, FC Tucson brought its deficit down to one again, as Burke had space on the left wing and cut into the box, before sliding it to Fernando Gauna, who one-timed it inside the left post past Maurer. However, six minutes later, da Luz put his name on the scoresheet, curling a shot into the net from the top of the box.
Due to a late injury to substitute Sacir Hot, Red Bulls Individual Developmental Coach and recently retired New York defender Mike Petke was forced to come on and finished the last 12 minutes of the match.
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