Photo courtesy of New York Red Bulls
Kenny Cooper opened his New York Red Bulls account on Tuesday, doing so against his former club in the process.
Cooper scored the opening goal in the Red Bulls' 2-0 preseason victory over FC Dallas in Cancun, Mexico, a game that was postponed from Monday because of field conditions. Acquired on the day of the MLS SuperDraft from Portland, Cooper, who played for Dallas from 2006-2009, started up top and finished off a feed from Dane Richards in the 33rd minute. Second-year forward Corey Hertzog converted from the penalty spot in the final minute to finish off the scoring.
Both sides trotted out first-choice-caliber lineups before switching to mainly reserves in the second half. FC Dallas had three shots hit the post, with Panamanian forward Blas Perez hitting the woodwork twice.
The two teams will meet in their regular season opener on March 11.
Here are a few more stories from around the soccer world:
REDKNAPP AWAITS TAX EVASION VERDICT
The jury for Harry Redknapp's tax evasion trial deliberated for four hours on Tuesday before breaking without resolution.
Redknapp and former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric are being accused of fraud after allegedly not paying £187,000 in taxes and stashing money in offshore accounts.
The 12-person jury was warned by Judge Anthony Leonard to maintain neutrality despite the stature of the defendants, saying that, "Football is an emotive subject, stirring in an individual anything from deep passion to resentment. It has become so commercial that it may be thought by some to have lost its way. This case is not about football but about some allegations of tax fraud."
The group will resume deliberations on Wednesday
BLACKPOOL, MILLWALL ADVANCE IN FA CUP
A pair of English Premier League sides with Americans found out the identity of their FA Cup fifth round opponents on Tuesday, as Blackpool and Millwall each won their fourth-round replays to advance in the tournament.
Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann and Everton will host Blackpool following the Tangerines' 3-0 rout of Sheffield Wednesday. The two have a fifth-round date booked for Feb. 18.
Tim Ream and Bolton will travel to Millwall the same day for their matchup. Millwall came back in dramatic fashion to topple Southampton, 3-2, getting a stoppage-time winner from Liam Feeney to make it to the final 16.
FIFA DONATES TO EGYPTIAN FAMILIES
In the aftermath of the riots at a match in Port Said, Egypt, FIFA is donating $250,000 to families of the tragic event's victims.
"I stated after the tragedy that this day was a black day for football. I'm still very shocked by what happened. Many of the victims were so young," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in a statement. "They were also a crucial support for their families, who now need help. The football community, including FIFA, must assist its Egyptian brothers and sisters."
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Think Cooper will recapture his top form for New York? What do you make of the Redknapp trial? Think Everton and Bolton will have a problem moving on in the FA Cup? What do you think of FIFA's gesture?
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