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.