FIRST PRESEASON SCRIMMAGE: CHIVAS USA

In their first preseason action of 2008, the Red Bulls dropped a 1-0 decision to Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center Track and Field Stadium on Tuesday morning.

Forward Ante Razov put Chivas USA tallied the game's only goal in the 4th minute, when he latched on to a Sacha Kljestan pass just inside the top of the 18-yard-box before turning and hitting a low left footed shot inside the far post.

With the starting lineup featuring returning designated players Juan Pablo Angel and Claudio Reyna, the Red Bulls had a number of chances in the first half. Two minutes in, MLS Rookie of the Year finalist Dane Richards was able to get free on the right wing before hitting a cross to Angel, whose open header bounced straight to goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Thirteen minutes later off a corner kick, Jeff Parke was able to hit a dangerous ball across the six-yard-box but no player was on hand to put it away.

After the Red Bulls changed their entire lineup after the break, both teams had a number of chances to put the ball in the back of net. In the 60th minute, Red Bulls midfielder Danleigh Borman had a close-range shot from 10 yards out after Chris Megaloudis found him on the left wing, but the South African put it over the bar. Less than 10 minutes later, Chivas USA midfielder Keith Savage was open off a free kick but his header went too high.

Guzan was able to keep the Red Bulls at bay at the end of the match. First, Megaloudis was able to beat his defender before putting a shot that Guzan had to parry away. Then, midfielder Michael Palacio hit a left-footed shot that was also saved.

The Red Bulls’ next scrimmage is on Friday at 1 PM EST against Norwegian club, Hammarby IF, at The Home Depot Center. The squad will be in the Los Angeles area until Feb. 19.

Scoring Summary:
CHV: Razov (Kljestan) 4’

Disciplinary Summary:
CHV: Cunliffe (caution) 42'

Lineups: This is the initial formation for RBNY

------------Angel-----------Serna--------------

--------------------Reyna-----------------------

Leonard-------------------------------Richards

------------Stammler--Kovalenko---------------

Palguta-------------Parke---------------Mendes

--------------------Conway----------------------

New York Red Bulls (first half): Jon Conway (GK), Scott Palguta, Jeff Parke, Carlos Mendes, Marshall Leonard, Dema Kovalenko, Seth Stammler, Dane Richards, Claudio Reyna, Diego Serna, Juan Pablo Angel

New York Red Bulls (second half): Zach Thornton (GK), Mateus Anjos, Eric Brunner, Chris Leitch, Danleigh Borman, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, David Roth, Luke Sassano, Michael Palacio, Chris Megaloudis, John Wolyniec

Chivas USA (first half): Brad Guzan (GK), Jorge Flores, Claudio Suarez, Jim Curtin, Alex Zotinca, John Cunliffe, Jesse Marsch, Marko Muslin, Sacha Kljestan, Atiba Harris, Ante Razov

Chivas USA (second half): Brad Guzan (GK), Jorge Flores, Marko Muslin, Mike Munoz, Zach Flores, Keith Savage, Dan Paladini, Kraig Chiles, El-Hadj Cisse (Nick Blanco 77'), Justin Braun, Chukwudi Chijinju