NY Red Bulls -4-USA U 17-0-

[Frank Cunha]

first pre season game and a 4-0 win

SCRIMMAGE WIN  Red Bulls blank U.S. U-17 team, 4-0

SCRIMMAGE WIN
Red Bulls blank U.S. U-17 team, 4-0





Markus Schopp scored two goals in the Red Bulls' 4-0 triumph over the U.S. Under-17 team.
Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
Bradenton, Fla. -- Midfielder Markus Schopp connected twice to lead the New York Red Bulls to a solid 4-0 victory over the U.S. Under-17 National Team at the IMG Academy Saturday.

Midfielders Dave van den Bergh and Dane Richards also scored for the Red Bulls.

"We're looking at different formations and [coach] Bruce [Arena] has ideas of what he would like to see. It's very early," assistant coach John Harkes said in a statement. "The fitness part of it is getting together and getting to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. We're pretty happy with what we saw and there were some good combinations going to goal."

In the full 90-minute scrimmage, the Red Bulls were in control of the game from the kick.

The Red Bulls took the lead to stay in the seventh minute. After a cross was played into the U.S. box, the goalkeeper and a defender collided and the ball fell to Schopp, who volleyed it into the back of the net.

The Red Bulls looked dangerous in the final third, with defender Jeff Parke volleying high off a Claudio Reyna corner and Jozy Altidore also shooting over the crossbar after a build-up between van den Bergh, Schopp and Dema Kovalenko. Parke almost made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute after his header off a Reyna corner rattled the crossbar.

Less than a minute later, the Red Bulls made it 2-0. A Reyna corner kick found the head of Schopp, who beat his defender and nodded it inside the near post.

A minute prior to halftime, the Red Bulls struck for their third goal. Seth Stammler played a ball over to Todd Dunivant, who then slipped it through to an onrushing van den Bergh. Van den Bergh took a couple of touches in the penalty area before firing home a 12-yard shot.

In the second half, Arena made wholesale changes with every player except for Dunivant being taken out. Later, Stammler came back in and played 25 minutes.

Richards capped off the scoring in the 85th minute, tapping in a rebound off the goalkeeper.

A number of players were able to impress in the team's first scrimmage of the year -- a match that was organized Friday. While Reyna and Schopp led the team in the first half, other younger players including Richards and Sinisa Ubiparipovic also made significant impacts on the game and created a number of scoring opportunities in the final 45 minutes.

"We're just trying to get to know each other and play off each other as much as possible, especially in the final third," Ubiparipovic said. "I thought we did a pretty good job at times, but it has to get better for sure."

"Bruce is happy with Sinisa's contribution and also Dane, who I think did a fantastic job on the right side, not only being dangerous with his speed but putting some quality service into the box. That's what we're looking for," Harkes said.

Harkes also complimented Reyna's performance.

"For me, he's still one of the best players I know who could take his touch away from the defense and he's a smart player," Harkes said. "He does a good job of keeping possession and holding the ball. He's made a great impact to this team."

The Red Bulls' next scrimmage is against the Kansas City Wizards here at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The team had a day off Sunday before coming back Monday.

Red Bulls starting 11 (first half):

Ronald Waterreus, Todd Dunivant, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Marvell Wynne, Dave van den Bergh, Seth Stammler, Dema Kovalenko, Markus Schopp, Claudio Reyna, Jozy Altidore.

Red Bulls starting 11 (second half):

Jon Conway, Eric Denton, Hugh MacDonald, Todd Dunivant (Seth Stammler, 65th minute), Joe Vide, Ansu Toure, Sal Caccavale, Craig Capano, Dane Richards, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, John Wolyniec.