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Thursday Kickoff: Red Bulls edge Atlante in PKs, Wondo’s new deal and more

Midfielder Austin Da Luz converted the match-winning penalty kick to help the New York Red Bulls edge Atlante in a penalty shootout after a scoreless match in their friendly in Mexico on Wednesday night.

Goalkeeper Greg Sutton posted the shutout, playing 90 minutes in place of regular starter Bouna Coundoul, who was on national team duty with Senegal. Red Bulls stars Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez played 45 minutes, with head coach Hans Backe making wholesale substitutions at halftime, playing a very young team in the second half.

Here are highlights and post-game comments from the Red Bulls.

The Red Bulls return to action on Tuesday in Guadalajara with a friendly against Chivas at Omnilife Stadium.

Here are some other stories to get your Thursday going:

Earthquakes sign Wondolowski to a new deal

The San Jose Earthquakes have rewarded 2010 MLS goal-scoring leader Chris Wondolowski with a contract extension, the club announced on Wednesday.

Wondolowski enjoyed a breakout season in San Jose in 2010, scoring a league-high 18 goals and helping the Earthquakes reach the playoffs for the first time since the club was brought back to MLS.

Terms of the new contract were not revealed.

Chivas USA signs Elliott and Boyens

The transformation of Chivas USA under head coach Robin Fraser continued on Wednesday, with the club announcing the signings of veterans Simon Elliott and Andrew Boyens.

The two free agents were teammates on the New Zealand World Cup team and were both out of contract. Elliott last played for the Wellington Phoenix of the Australian League, while Boyens was out of contract after the New York Red Bulls failed to re-sign the centerback.

Mexico downs Bosnia

Second-half goals from Javier Hernandez and Edgar Pacheco lifted Mexico past Bosnia in a Wednesday night friendly played in Atlanta.

Hernandez broke the scoring open after finishing off his own saved penalty before Pacheco pounced on a bad Bosnian defensive error to put the match out of reach in front of more than 50,000 at the Georgia Dome.

Bolowich leaves UNC to take Creighton job

Long-time North Carolina head coach Elmar Bolowich is leaving the ACC powerhouse after 22 seasons to become the head coach at Creighton University, both schools announced on Wednesday.

The 2010 ACC Coach of the Year, Bolowich led North Carolina to consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances and coached the team to a national championship in 2001.

North Carolina has named assistant Carlos Somoano as interim head coach.

QUICK KICKS

The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed Nizar Khalfan and Gershon Koffie.

The Philadelphia Union released fullback Christian Arrieta.

The Chicago Fire released fullback Deris Umanzor.

And last, but certainly not least, the 2011 MLS SChedule will be released this afternoon at around 2pm. Stay tuned for details as soon as it is released.

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What do you think of these developments? Glad to see an MLS team actually win a game in Mexico (even if it was in penalties)? Glad to see Wondolowski rewarded for his dream season? Think Elliot and Boyens can help Chivas USA?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. haha yea lets not forget 2009 gold cup finals sold out giants stadium but only 10-12k showed up at NYRB games during the same span… judging an International game featuring Mexico is never a good indicator for future MLS fans 🙂

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  2. An American missed atlante penalty kick. Hmmmmm kind a weird. He probaly wanted redbulls to win since he is American. Kind of suspicious anyways it was a friendly.

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  3. Lorenzo, I don’t think that a striker, who never scored against the US, should be called a “great nemesis.” He is a talented young player though.

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  4. Get it (an SSStadium) near a Marta station, problem solved.
    I lived in Atlanta for 5 years before moving home to Houston and I think Atlanta would be a great market for MLS. Over 50k for a friendly doesn’t suck but it was Mexico so don’t get too stoked just yet – a lot of those fans wouldn’t just jump on the MLS bandwagon but if Atlanta can get 14 – 17k regulars for matches to start out, I’d love to say welcome to MLS! My friends there would be all over it.

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  5. Good for rbny. Not bad for our first preseason game against Atlante who are in midseason form. I’d like to see our starters play more than just one half when their fitness is there.

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  6. It’s good to have more Aussies and Kiwis playing in MLS. Need to get more players from south of the border. Tons of guys would be enjoying $100,000 to play for us. I bet to many guys who are poor or playing street soccer, 100 K might be more manageable than a playing career in Europe.

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  7. that’s why you put it in the North like Gwinnet. Midtown would be nice as would Marietta but of course not in the heart of the city like the Hawks, Braves, and Falcons that would be dumb. At team would be perfect in the Metro-area

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  8. Sorry but Atlanta is a poor choice – anywhere you place a stadium in the Atlanta area is miserable to get to from any other part of Atlanta

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  9. The Hernandez PK resulted in a Bosnia own goal. He didn’t score. I was watching a TV Azteca feed and they didn’t cut when the Bosnian streaker hit the field wearing a thong. Funny stuff.

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  10. Official Attendance in Atlanta was 50,507.

    per ajc.com
    “Atlanta continues to demonstrate that it can support world-class soccer events,” Dan Courtemanche, vice president of Soccer United Marketing, which put on the game. “We will continue to look at Atlanta for future events, whether it’s Mexico, international friendlies, CONCACAF Gold Cups or perhaps U.S. national-team games.”

    Bring on MLS!!!

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  11. Well — If we’re counting preseason friendlies, DC United beat Santos Laguna dpwn south last year. No PKs needed.

    I’m waiting for an MLS team to win one of those games when it’s part of a competition.

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