Good Afternoon! The Red Bulls are in action today, as they travel north of the border to beautiful Stade Saputo for a midweek friendly against the Montreal Impact. The Impact currently play in the second division NASL but are due to become MLS' 19th team next year.
I'm going to take a wild guess and say this friendly with was arranged due to Thierry Henry's star power with Montreal's many French speaking citizens. TH14 and Rafa Marquez are the big draws and both are said to be contractually obligated to play at least 45 minutes of this game. That might be difficult, at least for Marquez, as RBNY's Mexican International DP picked up a knock against LA.
RBNY reserves Mehdi Ballouchi and Marcos Paullo will not travel due to visa issues and starters Luke Rodgers and Teemu Tainio will not see action as well. Right back Chris Albright might see his first action of the year along with draftee Corey Hertzog. There will be massive half-time substitutions in this one and the three U18 RBNY Academy players, who've travelled with the team (Brandon Allen, Daniel Metzger & Sean Davis), might see some action. Goalkeeper Greg Sutton, making a return to his old stomping grounds, is likely to go the full 90.
Don't know a thing about the Impact except that the team features at least four players with MLS experience, and are currently sitting second from bottom in the NASL standings. Thierry Henry promises to not take Montreal lightly and Impact players might be looking to make a statement prior to their team's entry into MLS. I'm just hoping RBNY can escape the Great White North without injuries.
Please click on the video above for part one yesterday's press conference, featuring TH14, Rafa Marquez and Mr. Backe. And no, the press conference was not held in France - it just seems that way (ha, ha). You can click here for part two. The match will be streamed over the internet, courtesy of the Impact. The action starts at 7:30pm, but there is a pre-game show starting a 7pm. Please click here for the link (video player available after 5pm).
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