The Sebastien Le Toux era for the New York Red Bulls kicks off Sunday, with the new acquisition taking on one of his former teams when the Red Bulls host the Seattle Sounders at Red Bull Arena (4 p.m., ESPN/ESPN3.com).
After being sent to New York from Vancouver on Friday night, Le Toux is in the starting lineup for New York, as is new goalkeeper acquisition Bill Gaudette, who replaces injured rookie Ryan Meara (hip). Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez are also in Hans Backe's starting XI.
For the Sounders, who are fresh off clinching a berth in the U.S. Open Cup final for the fourth straight year, Fredy Montero remains on the bench as Sigi Schmid goes with hot hand Eddie Johnson (five goals in last six league games) alone up top in hopes of securing the club's second straight win after a nine-game winless stretch.
The match is also significant in that Ben Olsen's MLS All-Star Game matchday roster and MLS comissioner Don Garber's two All-Star selections will be revealed at halftime.
If you will be watching today's game, please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the action.
Great boot far above the head of Alonso, compliments of Henry, at the same time. A fair non-call for anyone non-biased…
If they are not going to support the local squad in that soccer palace they have as much “soccer knowledge” as a pea brained Rangers supporter.
The New York Energy Drinks didn’t do enough to win three points, handball or not.
The guy who made it, who neither loses nor gains from lying, at the end of the day, claimed it was from the moment the ball changed direction. So you can either believe that someone did that, or believe that he decided to fake Ozzie’s innocence for a few internet ‘points’.
That proves nothing. It’s a blurry frame grab that misses the contact. I think I see big foot in the background though.
Great hand ball Seattle. Way to “earn” a point on the road.
Attendance was 19k+. That’s not a sellout, but it’s certainly respectable. The crowd at RBA tends to arrive late, but I don’t think that’s your point. It’s really kind of pathetic to judge a team by imagined standards of “fan culture.” I get that it’s a small-market fan trying to level the playing field. But the poster who ironically mentions New York’s “cultured soccer fans” truly doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I know MANY very knowledgable soccer fans in the New York area who would never dream of watching MLS. Let alone giving a ßhit about the Lamar Hunt Open Cup.
Are you serious? Is it okay to volleyball spike a ball inside the box to protect one’s face? No. No it isn’t.
Reported attendance 19,400, a lot of no shows and to tell you the truth the heat was unbearable so i dont blame. Also you have to remember that RBA really holds like 27000 not 25500 so its going to appear more empty than most MLS parks.
That did seem to be case for the last 10 minutes – would have been pretty displeased if I was one of the several dozen RB faithful that paid for tickets.
NYRB seem to be calling it in.. #Lacklustre
Fair draw in the end….
I really hope The Don can shake down someone for a $100 million franchise fee. It will be great for MLS. But let’s face reality, today is a preview of what NY2 will be. Empty stadium, apathetic supporters, etc.
http://i535.photobucket.com/albums/ee360/bkimballh/alonso.jpg
http://www.sounderatheart.com/2012/7/15/3160730/sounders-at-new-york-red-bulls-gamethread
In the comment thread is a photo proving he didn’t touch it, though it was stupid in any case..
LOL, And what about those cultured NY soccer fans who can’t be bothered to support a loaded roster playing in a soccer palace?
I did enjoy seeing Henry complain about a clear handball being missed … karma?
Hand ball could have been, but not conclusive. High boot from Henry, blatantly obvious. A fair non-call wash for me.
Was he swinging at the cross or swinging at Henry’s leg (that was close to hitting him in the face)?
That said, the calls were incongruous: either its a goal kick (out on Henry) or its a red card or at least a PK.
You sir are a moron
Dude really? He stretched out just so he could swing his arm at that. It was clearly intentional.
His arm was fully extended and swinging at the ball. How can you say that’s not intentional?! Swinging your arm at a cross behind you is a natural motion?
You lot are mad. The handball wasn’t intentional and Henry has no right to whine about any handball calls.
How is Eddie Johnson an All-Star but Kenny Cooper is not? Baffling.
Learn the rules.
An intentional handball to stop a clear goal scoring opportunity is a straight red card. He punched the ball off a wide open Henry’s foot mere yards from the goal.
Wow don’t know what to say about that…. intentional swinging punch to stop an henry goal and not even called?! How do you miss that?
That was Maradona bad.
Are you high? Preventing a cross maybe, but an ejection, GTFO.
that was weird
Yet MLS wants to award a 2nd franchise to NY… baffling
Where’s the penalty and ejection?!?!
Just as blatant an intentional handball to prevent a goal you will ever see.
Sounder fan, obviously looking for some justification,
is that Alonso handball okay if he’s protecting his head from Henry’s boot?
FC Dallas fans have to be at least close…
RBA empty again for a marquee game. Worst supporters in MLS and it’s not even close.
GOAL!!!!!
EBFG