Bruce Arena named Red Bulls sporting director, coach

[Kire]

Arena named Red Bulls sporting director, coach
Former U.S. national team manager to take reins on Aug. 12
NewYorkRedBulls.com

Bruce Arena, widely considered as the most successful and decorated U.S. men's national team coach ever, was named as Red Bull New York's new sporting director and head coach on Tuesday morning. Arena will oversee all of the club's soccer operations, including the first team, reserve and academy teams and youth development.

Arena, whose contract was not renewed by the U.S. Soccer Federation following a spectacular eight-year career that saw the national team reach the World Cup quarterfinals and a FIFA ranking as high as five, will be unveiled to the media Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET at New York City's Stone Rose Lounge.

Arena will be on the Red Bulls' sidelines starting on Aug. 12 in the team's friendly vs. UEFA Champions League winner FC Barcelona at Giants Stadium. Until then, current interim head coach Richie Williams will serve as the acting head coach until Arena permanently arrives.

After former New York head coach Mo Johnston was released of his duties due to the team's poor play following a 2-3-7 record, Red Bull immediately started the search for a permanent replacement who would lead New York to the upper echelons of MLS.

More: http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060718&content_id=66238&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn

[nickgutierrez]

1. No surprise here...

...except maybe that it happened so soon.

[Kire]

2. FC Barcelona slays New York Red Bulls

Barca outpace N.Y. in second half
By Danny Polinsky / MLSnet.com Staff

E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- It was clear, based on the number of jerseys sporting the royal blue and burgundy of FC Barcelona, that many of the 79,002 in attendance at a sold-out Giants Stadium on Saturday night were there to see Ronaldinho and his teammates work their magic.

For the first 20 minutes or so of the game, so were the New York Red Bulls, Barcelona's opposition on the night.

After an initial onslaught that resulted in a penalty kick converted by Ronaldinho in the 18th minute, the Red Bulls stopped stargazing and started playing soccer, pulling level with a goal just before halftime through Youri Djorkaeff. While Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola all scored second-half goals for a 4-1 final score, the Red Bulls acquitted themselves well against the reigning European champions in Bruce Arena's first official match as head coach.

Early on, the Blaugrana dominated completely with their class nearly resulting in a goal in only the fourth minute. A Ronaldinho corner was headed past Tony Meola but midfielder Chris Henderson was in proper position on the post to play it away.

More: http://redbull.newyork.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060812&content_id=68964&vkey=news_rbn&fext=.jsp&team=rbn