2010 New York Red Bulls season
Encyclopedia
The 2010 New York Red Bulls season was their fifteenth in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...

, and in their existence.

Following a dismal 2009 season, the Red Bulls saw the arrival of Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....

 head coach Hans Backe
Hans Backe
Hans Backe is a Swedish former soccer player. He is currently the head coach of New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer....

. Backe replaced interim coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...

 Richie Williams
Richie Williams
Richie Williams is an American former professional soccer player and coach.Known for his diminutive height and his dogged tackling, Williams spent the vast majority of his playing career in the United States, playing one season in the National Professional Soccer League, two in USISL, two in the...

, who became an assistant.

In part of an entire overhaul to the club, the Red Bulls made several notable signings throughout the season including retired French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 international Theirry Henry, Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...

's national team captain, Rafael Marquez
Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican footballer who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Mexico national team. He plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder....

; as well as players including Tim Ream
Tim Ream
Timothy "Tim" Ream is an American soccer player who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the United States national team. He usually plays as a central defender.-Youth and college:...

 and Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

.

The Red Bulls went on a worst-to-first campaign, topping the Eastern Conference
MLS Eastern Conference
The Eastern Conference is one of Major League Soccer's two conferences.-Current members:*Chicago Fire*Columbus Crew*D.C. United*Houston Dynamo*New England Revolution*New York Red Bulls*Philadelphia Union*Sporting Kansas City*Toronto FC...

 by one point over Columbus
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

 before losing 3–2 on aggregate against San Jose
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....

 in the quarterfinals of the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs
2010 MLS Cup Playoffs
The 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs was the postseason tournament subsequent to Major League Soccer's 2010 season. The Colorado Rapids defeated FC Dallas 2–1 at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario....

.

November 2009

The contract for defender Leo Krupnik was terminated and he returned to Israel. Midfielder Nick Zimmerman
Nick Zimmerman
Nick Zimmerman is an American soccer player currently playing for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur :...

 was selected in the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft
2009 MLS Expansion Draft
The 2009 MLS Expansion Draft took place on November 25, 2009, and was a special draft for the Major League Soccer expansion team Philadelphia Union.-Format:...

 by the Philadelphia Union on November 25. Veteran midfielder Albert Celades
Albert Celades
Albert Celades López is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.A tactically astute player with a strong defensive mentality, he is best known for his stints with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, and was part of the Spanish squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.-Club...

 retired after one year with club.

December 2009

Erik Soler
Erik Solér
Erik Francisco Solér is a former Norwegian football player, a former football agent and currently a football commentator for Champions League and national team games on Norwegian TV as well as General Manager/Sporting Director of New York Red Bulls on a part time basis...

 was named Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director on December 7 and made responsible for the overall management of the New York Red Bulls, including its sporting division - comprising the First Team, the Red Bulls Academy, its developmental system and scouting. His most pressing concern was to name a head coach.

January

Red Bulls named Sweden's Hans Backe
Hans Backe
Hans Backe is a Swedish former soccer player. He is currently the head coach of New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer....

 head coach on January 7. "I have followed Hans' career for many years and I think he will be an excellent coach for this team," said Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director Erik Soler
Erik Solér
Erik Francisco Solér is a former Norwegian football player, a former football agent and currently a football commentator for Champions League and national team games on Norwegian TV as well as General Manager/Sporting Director of New York Red Bulls on a part time basis...

. "Hans brings a vast amount of experience from a variety of different clubs in Europe and he has been a fantastic mentor for many young and established players. We are confident that he will be able to help our club accomplish our goal of competing for a MLS Cup."

The new regime made many roster moves during the month. The club said goodbye to disappointing midfielder Jorge Rojas when he signed with a club in his native Venezuela on January 1. One week later Red Bulls signed Costa Rican international defender Roy Miller
Roy Miller (footballer)
Roy Miller Hernández is a Costa Rican footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Costa Rica national football team.-Club:...

. At the 2010 MLS SuperDraft
2010 MLS SuperDraft
The 2010 MLS SuperDraft was the eleventh annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 14, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 2010 NSCAA Convention. The 2010 SuperDraft consisted of four rounds with sixteen selections each, for a total of 64 players...

 on January 14, the club picked midfielder Tony Tchani
Tony Tchani
Tony Tchani is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.-Amateur and college:...

 and midfielder Austin da Luz
Austin da Luz
Austin da Luz is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:Da Luz attended St...

 in the first round, defender Tim Ream
Tim Ream
Timothy "Tim" Ream is an American soccer player who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the United States national team. He usually plays as a central defender.-Youth and college:...

 in the second round, forward Conor Chinn
Conor Chinn
Conor Chinn is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Atlanta Silverbacks in North American Soccer League.-College and amateur:...

 in the third round, and midfielder/forward Irving Garcia
Irving Garcia
Irving Garcia is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-College and Amateur:Garcia attended San Luis High School and played college soccer at Yavapai College from 2006 to 2007 before transferring to UC Irvine in 2008...

 in the fourth round. Tchani signed with MLS as a Generation adidas
Generation adidas
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry of American players into MLS...

 player, meaning he has no salary cap impact for 2010 (and possibly a year or two more). The club also traded picks in the second and third round to acquire defender Chris Albright
Chris Albright
Christopher John Albright is an American soccer player who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:Albright attended William Penn Charter School...

 from New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

.

Also, on January 29, Red Bulls traded their #1 slot in the MLS Allocation Rankings to Philadelphia Union in exchange for the #6 slot and allocation money. Philadelphia used the pick to sign defender Michael Orozco Fiscal.

Red Bulls opened preseason training in Spain where the club played CSKA Moscow to a 1-1 draw and defeated Polish club Lech Poznań
Lech Poznan
Lech Poznań is a Polish football club based in Poznań, Poland. The club is named after Lech, the legendary founder of Polish nation.The club was established in 1922 as Lutnia Dębiec, later changing its name several times. From 1933 until 1994, the club was closely linked to Polish State Railways...

 1-0.

February

Red Bulls cut goalkeeper Danny Cepero
Danny Cepero
Danny Cepero is a former American soccer player.-College:Cepero played four years of college soccer at the University of Pennsylvania, where he captained the squad, set Penn's all-time career record for shutouts, and was named to the All-Ivy team in his senior year.-Professional:Cepero was drafted...

, and defenders Walter Garcia
Walter García
Walter García is an Argentine footballer.-Club:García started his career with Argentinos Juniors in 2001, but in 2002 the club suffered relegation to the Argentine 2nd division...

 and Carlos Johnson
Carlos Johnson (soccer)
Carlos Johnson is a Costa Rican footballer who currently plays for Cartaginés.-Professional:Johnson began his career in the C.S. Cartaginés youth system. He joined Herediano in 2004 and became one of the top right backs in Costa Rica. In his four years at the club Johnson appeared in 91 Primera...

. The club also declined the contract option for midfielder Matthew Mbuta
Matthew Mbuta
Andongcho "Matthew" Mbuta is a Cameroonian footballer currently playing for Crystal Palace Baltimore in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-Africa and Asia:...

 and hired Goran Aral
Göran Aral
Göran Aral is a former Swedish footballer.Göran Aral was born in 1953 and is a product of the Djurgården youth system. At the beginning of the 1970s he was considered such a promising player that he was selected to go to London and train with Chelsea FC...

 as an assistant coach. Head coach Hans Backe
Hans Backe
Hans Backe is a Swedish former soccer player. He is currently the head coach of New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer....

 confirmed that the club signed Estonian international Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

, though the paperwork was not yet complete.

In preseason play, Red Bulls won the 2010 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic
2010 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic
The 2010 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic was a preseason soccer tournament held at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The tournament, the inaugural edition of the Pro Soccer Classic, was held from February 25—27, 2011 and featured four Major League Soccer clubs.The...

 tournament in Orlando
Orlando
Orlando is a major city in the U.S. state of Florida.Orlando may also refer to-Places:* in Florida** Orlando, a major city** Greater Orlando, the 27th-largest metropolitan area in the United States...

, beating Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....

 4-0 in the final behind three goals from captain Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...

.

March

Personnel moves dominated the month with the start of the regular season scheduled for March 27. SuperDraft
2010 MLS SuperDraft
The 2010 MLS SuperDraft was the eleventh annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 14, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 2010 NSCAA Convention. The 2010 SuperDraft consisted of four rounds with sixteen selections each, for a total of 64 players...

 picks Tim Ream
Tim Ream
Timothy "Tim" Ream is an American soccer player who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the United States national team. He usually plays as a central defender.-Youth and college:...

, Conor Chinn
Conor Chinn
Conor Chinn is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Atlanta Silverbacks in North American Soccer League.-College and amateur:...

 and Irving Garcia
Irving Garcia
Irving Garcia is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-College and Amateur:Garcia attended San Luis High School and played college soccer at Yavapai College from 2006 to 2007 before transferring to UC Irvine in 2008...

 were signed to contracts as was veteran goalkeeper Greg Sutton
Greg Sutton (soccer)
Greg Sutton is a Canadian soccer player who most recently played for Montreal Impact in the North American Soccer League...

 and Estonian import Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

. The club acquired midfielder Carl Robinson
Carl Robinson
Carl Robinson is a Welsh footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Wolverhampton Wanderers:...

 from Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....

 for a 2011 MLS SuperDraft
2011 MLS SuperDraft
The 2011 MLS SuperDraft was the twelfth annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 13, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland, during the 2011 NSCAA Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center. The 2011 SuperDraft consisted of three rounds with eighteen selections each, for...

 pick, watched Enar Jääger
Enar Jääger
Enar Jääger is an Estonian professional footballer, who currently plays for Aalesund in Tippeligaen.He is a versatile defender, starting off at FC Flora Tallinn as Center-back. He is also a member of the Estonia national football team.-Early career:Enar Jääger was born in Kohila, Estonia. He began...

 and Yevhen Levchenko
Yevhen Levchenko
Yevhen Viktorovych Levchenko also known as Evgeniy Levchenko is an Ukrainian footballer who currently plays for A-League side Adelaide United.-Club career:...

 come and go as trialists, and sent Ernst Öbster
Ernst Öbster
Ernst Öbster is an Austrian footballer who plays for Wacker Innsbruck.-Club:Öbster began his youth career with SK Bischofshofen and in 2001 joined BNZ Salzburg. After impressing with BNZ, Öbster was called up by the SV Austria Salzburg first team and debuted in the Austrian Bundesliga as a 17...

 back to Austria. On March 26, the club signed forward Juan Agudelo
Juan Agudelo
Juan Sebastián Agudelo is a Colombian-born American soccer player. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer....

 as a Homegrown Player from Red Bulls Academy. The U.S. Youth international had also been courted by sides in his native Columbia. The club announced that forward Giorgi Chirgadze, the first player signed from Red Bulls Academy, would likely miss the season due to a hip injury.

The most significant news of the month for all players and clubs was the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the Major League Soccer Players Union
Major League Soccer Players Union
The Major League Soccer Players Union, also referred to as MLS Players Union or MLSPU, is the union of professional Major League Soccer players. The Players Union serves as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for all current players in MLS.-History:The Major League Soccer Players...

. The new deal, announced March 20, ensured that the 2010 MLS season
2010 Major League Soccer season
The 2010 Major League Soccer season was the 98th season of FIFA-sanctioned soccer, the 32nd with a national first-division league, in the United States and Canada, and the 15th in MLS history. It began on March 25 at Seattle's Qwest Field with Seattle Sounders FC defeating the expansion...

 would take place as scheduled. The new agreement lasts through December 31, 2014.

On the field, Red Bulls hosted Santos of Brazil in an exhibition match to open Red Bull Arena on March 20, 2010. Red Bulls emerged 3-1 victors with the first ever Red Bull Arena goal being scored by midfielder Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

. Longtime franchise defender Mike Petke
Mike Petke
Mike Petke is a former American soccer player who is now an assistant coach with New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-College:...

 and winger Dane Richards
Dane Richards
Dane Richards is a Jamaican footballer who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...

 scored as well.

New York began the regular season at home with a win against the Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire (soccer)
Chicago Fire Soccer Club is an American professional soccer club based in the Chicago suburb of Bridgeview, Illinois. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top soccer league in the United States and Canada...

 on March 27 in the first MLS match at Red Bull Arena in front of a crowd of 24,572. Newcomer Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

 scored the first league goal in Red Bull Arena history. Rookie defender Tim Ream
Tim Ream
Timothy "Tim" Ream is an American soccer player who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the United States national team. He usually plays as a central defender.-Youth and college:...

 went the full 90 minutes while first-round SuperDraft pick Tony Tchani
Tony Tchani
Tony Tchani is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.-Amateur and college:...

 debuted as a 90th minute substitute.

On March 30, the club announced it had signed assistant coach Richie Williams
Richie Williams
Richie Williams is an American former professional soccer player and coach.Known for his diminutive height and his dogged tackling, Williams spent the vast majority of his playing career in the United States, playing one season in the National Professional Soccer League, two in USISL, two in the...

 to a contract extension. Williams has twice served as Red Bulls interim manager, including for the final eight games of the 2009 season.

April

New York built on its opening day victory with three wins in four league matches, ending the month off to their best start in nine years at 4–1–0. Captain Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...

 led the way with 3 goals. The first victory, 1-0 over Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...

 on April 3, snapped a regular-season road winless streak that dated back to May 3, 2008.

The club also advanced in their play-in game for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 97th edition of the oldest competition in American soccer, running from June through early October.The tournament proper featured teams from the top five levels of the American Soccer Pyramid...

 against the Philadelphia Union with a 2–1 win at home with rookie Conor Chinn
Conor Chinn
Conor Chinn is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Atlanta Silverbacks in North American Soccer League.-College and amateur:...

 scoring both goals. New addition Ibrahim Salou stated "Mentally, we’re very, very strong. It comes also from the head coach, he is very strong and very relaxed and doesn’t put too much pressure on the players. It comes forward to the players, how relaxed he is. That’s very important. It helps us when we get to the field and we stay in the games and in the end we’ve been getting the three points, which is important for us."

Brittle forward Macoumba Kandji
Macoumba Kandji
Macoumba Kandji is a Senegalese footballer who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Early Life and College:Kandji was born in Senegal, raised in The Gambia, and came to the United States in 2003...

 broke a bone in his right foot during training April 20 and was ruled out for 8-12 weeks. In other player news, the club signed forward Ibrahim Salou, acquired midfielder Brian Nielsen
Brian Nielsen (footballer)
Brian Nielsen is a Danish footballer who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, on loan from Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Bundesliga....

 on loan from Danish side Vejle
Vejle Boldklub
Vejle Boldklub is a Danish football club with proud traditions from the town of Vejle. The club has won the Danish championship five times and the Danish cup title six times....

, and officially waived seldom-used midfielder Ernst Öbster
Ernst Öbster
Ernst Öbster is an Austrian footballer who plays for Wacker Innsbruck.-Club:Öbster began his youth career with SK Bischofshofen and in 2001 joined BNZ Salzburg. After impressing with BNZ, Öbster was called up by the SV Austria Salzburg first team and debuted in the Austrian Bundesliga as a 17...

. The league announced on April 1 that all clubs would now have two Designated Player slots with an option to purchase a third. As Red Bulls already had two slots due to a 2007 trade with Chivas USA
C.D. Chivas USA
Club Deportivo Chivas USA is an American professional soccer club based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada....

, the club received $70,000 in allocation money from the league as compensation.

The club announced that a mid-season friendly tournament called the 2010 New York Football Challenge
2010 Barclays New York Challenge
The 2010 Barclays New York Challenge was an exhibition international club football competition which featured football club teams from Europe and North America, and was held in July 2010. All matches were played in Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey in the United States. The tournament is...

 would take place from July 22-25 at Red Bull Arena with Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...

, Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....

, and likely Sporting Lisbon joining Red Bulls in the tourney field.

May

New York finished the month by qualifying for the Round of 16 of the U.S. Open Cup with 3–0 wins over New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

 & Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...

. At the same time their league form took a slide with four losses in a row. Midfielder Danleigh Borman stated, "I think we’ve been playing well" and "we just need to find a way to win."

MLS fined head coach Hans Backe $2,500 for comments made following their 3–2 loss to New England at Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution...

. Backe stated "I would say it’s an absolute disgrace. It’s ridiculous, it’s a joke" and "when the referee decides games like this, probably the MLS should do an investigation because it’s not even close to hitting. You can see the level of the referee, the level went [up and down]. It’s a joke. If this had been in Italy there would be an investigation if the referee was bought."

Fielding a largely reserve lineup, Red Bulls defeated out-of-season Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...

 side Juventus F.C.
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...

 3-1 in an exhibition match at Red Bull Arena on May 23.

In injury news, defender Kevin Goldthwaite
Kevin Goldthwaite
Kevin Goldthwaite is a former American soccer player who last played for Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.-College:After graduating from Christian Brothers High School ,...

 re-injured himself during training and was deemed likely to miss the season. Also, it was announced on May 26 that midfielder Carl Robinson
Carl Robinson
Carl Robinson is a Welsh footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Wolverhampton Wanderers:...

 would miss 5-6 weeks with a knee injury.

June

New York looked to bounce back from a dismal May in a shorten month due to the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...

. The team won their three league matches due mostly to GK Bouna Coundoul
Bouna Coundoul
Bouna Coundoul is a Senegalese footballer who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, and for the Senegal national football team.-College:...

 earning two clean sheets and a solidified Red Bulls defense. Coach Backe stated "I think we started the season very well with our defense and how we maintained our shape," and "we're still conceding too many opportunities in the back although we are performing better over the past few games."

The squad also looked to advance in U.S. Open Cup play when they faced the Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders is an American professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....

 in the Round of 16. The USL Second Division
USL Second Division
The United Soccer Leagues Second Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues league pyramid...

 team pulled of the upset in extra time with a goal in the 117th minute by Dominic Oppong
Dominic Oppong
Dominic Oppong is a Ghanaian-born Canadian soccer player, currently playing for FC Edmonton in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...

. Backe stated "the way we played – that's the history of the cup. We played three good games – New England, Colorado and Philadelphia – and then a poor one last night. You always have to play at a high level, and our performance dipped in a way." GK Greg Sutton
Greg Sutton (soccer)
Greg Sutton is a Canadian soccer player who most recently played for Montreal Impact in the North American Soccer League...

 added "we should never have put ourselves in that spot in the first place," when addressing the goal scored to eliminate the Red Bulls.

The team ended the month with top scorer Juan Pablo Ángel named MLS Player of the Week for his performance against the Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...

 by scoring two goals in a span of 8 minutes to seal the victory for New York. Ángel finished the month with 3 goals, which brought his season total to 9, placing him one goal behind Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...

's Edson Buddle
Edson Buddle
Edson Buddle is an American soccer player who currently plays for Ingolstadt 04 in Second Bundesliga, the second-highest level of competition of soccer in Germany. Buddle previously spent his entire career in North America, beginning in 2000 with the Long Island Rough Riders, who played in the USL...

 for the 2010 MLS Golden Boot
MLS Golden Boot
The MLS Golden Boot has been awarded since the 2005 season to Major League Soccer's regular season leading scorer...

.

The club lost to Brazilian side Cruziero
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube
Cruzeiro Esporte Clube is a Brazilian football team, from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and are one of the only five clubs to have never been relegated, along with Santos, São Paulo, Flamengo and Internacional. Founded on January 2, 1921, they are only one of three clubs to have participated in...

 4-2 in a June 18 friendly.

Defender Andrew Boyens
Andrew Boyens
Andrew Victor Boyens is a New Zealander international footballer who currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer, and has represented New Zealand at the international level.-College:...

 represented New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...

.

July

On July 14, Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...

 joined the Red Bulls after a successful three years at FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....

, taking his usual number 14. Henry stated, "this marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life," and "it is an honor to play for the New York Red Bulls. I am fully aware of the team’s history and my sole goal during my time here is to help win the club its first championship. Knowing Red Bull’s significant commitment to soccer locally and internationally, I am confident that my teammates and I will succeed." Erik Soler
Erik Solér
Erik Francisco Solér is a former Norwegian football player, a former football agent and currently a football commentator for Champions League and national team games on Norwegian TV as well as General Manager/Sporting Director of New York Red Bulls on a part time basis...

, Red Bull New York General Manager and Sporting Director stated "Thierry is not only a world class player who will undoubtedly improve our squad, but he has shown most importantly throughout his career that he is a winner. He has made it clear to us that he is committed in the short and long term to help in our vision of making our organization the premium franchise in Major League Soccer."

New teammate Seth Stammler
Seth Stammler
Seth Stammler is a retired American soccer player.-College:Stammler attended Gahanna Middle School East and Gahanna Lincoln High School, and played four years of college soccer at the University of Maryland, captaining the team in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons...

 stated "there is no doubt [Henry] can play and he is going to come in and contribute right away, hopefully he can take our team to the next level as we chase the top of the East, the overall MLS points lead and obviously take that momentum into the playoffs and a chance at the MLS Cup." Juan Pablo Ángel, "he’s arguably one of the best players in our generation. He’s a player that has won everything he could possibly win in this sport and he’s still fit. I think it’s an honor to have him here, he’s going to be a tremendous addition to the league, to the Red Bulls. It keeps showing how much effort this company is putting in for this sport in the country." Tim Ream
Tim Ream
Timothy "Tim" Ream is an American soccer player who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the United States national team. He usually plays as a central defender.-Youth and college:...

, "it’s kind of wild to think about it, coming in, I knew I was going to be playing with Juan Pablo and I knew what kind of player he was. You put [Angel and Henry] together—it’s pretty incredible. There is not much you can say about them. They are just spectacular players."

To make roster space for Henry, Red Bulls waived veteran and fan-favorite John Wolyniec
John Wolyniec
John Wolyniec is a former American soccer player who is now a coach in the New York Red Bulls youth system.-Youth and Amateur:...

. Known as the "Staten Island Ronaldinho", New York native son Wolyniec played 166 games and scored 35 goals in all competitions during his three stints with the MetroStars/Red Bulls franchise. He left having also scored the only MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...

 goal in franchise history.

On July 9, the club activated forward Macoumba Kandji
Macoumba Kandji
Macoumba Kandji is a Senegalese footballer who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Early Life and College:Kandji was born in Senegal, raised in The Gambia, and came to the United States in 2003...

 from the injured reserve list and placed midfielder Brian Nielsen
Brian Nielsen (footballer)
Brian Nielsen is a Danish footballer who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, on loan from Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Bundesliga....

 on the injured list.

On the field, the club struggled and failed to win a league match. Results for the month were: 1-1 draw at Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...

 on July 4, 0-0 draw home versus D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

 on July 10, 2-0 defeat at Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

 on July 17, and 2-2 draw at Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...

 on July 31. The club also hosted the 2010 Barclays New York Challenge
2010 Barclays New York Challenge
The 2010 Barclays New York Challenge was an exhibition international club football competition which featured football club teams from Europe and North America, and was held in July 2010. All matches were played in Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey in the United States. The tournament is...

 in which it defeated Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...

 and lost to Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....

. The fourth participant in the friendly tournament was Sporting Lisbon.

Red Bulls captain Ángel was the lone club representative chosen to play in the 2010 Major League Soccer All-Star Game
MLS All-Star 2010
The 2010 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, held on July 28, 2010, was the 15th consecutive Major League Soccer All-Star Game, a soccer match involving all-stars from Major League Soccer. The MLS All-Stars faced Manchester United of the English Premier League in the seventh All-Star Game that...

 held July 28 in Houston. Ángel played the first half of the 5-2 loss to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...

 of the Premier League. Midfielder Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

 was named an inactive All-Star selection by the league.

August

On August 2, Juan Pablo Ángel was again named MLS Player of the Week for his two-goal performance against Houston Dynamo
Houston Dynamo
The Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club, based in Houston, Texas, that plays in Major League Soccer, the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2005 as Houston 1836, the team name was renamed to Houston Dynamo following protests from Hispanic...

 on July 31. That same day, Red Bulls announced the signing of Mexican international captain Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican footballer who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Mexico national team. He plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder....

. Márquez arrived on a free transfer after seven years with La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...

 giants FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....

. He joined Henry and Ángel as Designated Players. "I am excited to be joining the Red Bulls," Marquez said. "Despite having the opportunity to fulfill my contract with Barcelona, coming to New York and playing in Major League Soccer was a chance that I could not refuse. I am completely committed to doing my very best to help the Red Bulls in their playoff push this year and compete for championships in the years to come."

On August 6, the club announced that midfielders Luke Sassano
Luke Sassano
Luke Sassano is an American soccer player who currently plays for Sporting Kansas City in Major League Soccer. Sassano has played at various positions including as a holding midfielder, right back and central defender.-Youth and College:Sassano began his career at Lamorinda Soccer Club...

 and Brian Nielsen
Brian Nielsen (footballer)
Brian Nielsen is a Danish footballer who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, on loan from Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Bundesliga....

 would miss the remainder of the season due to injury and that defender Kevin Goldthwaite
Kevin Goldthwaite
Kevin Goldthwaite is a former American soccer player who last played for Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.-College:After graduating from Christian Brothers High School ,...

 had been waived. Two weeks later Goldthwaite signed with the D2 Portland Timbers.

Internationally, Dane Richards
Dane Richards
Dane Richards is a Jamaican footballer who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...

 scored his first career goal for Jamaica
Jamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...

 in a 3-1 friendly victory over Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...

 on August 11. Midfielder Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

 rejected a call-up by Estonia
Estonia national football team
The Estonia national football team represents Estonia in international association football. Team members are selected by the head coach of Estonian Football Association . Estonia play their home matches at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia....

 to concentrate on his club duties with Red Bulls.

With only league play to focus on, Red Bulls started to perform better. During August the team picked up 10 points from 5 games, defeating Toronto FC
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....

 both home and away, defeating San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....

 at home, drawing at Chicago Fire, and losing home versus Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...

. With the victory at Toronto, Red Bulls became the first road team to win at TFC in over a year.

September

September began with the announcement that defender Mike Petke
Mike Petke
Mike Petke is a former American soccer player who is now an assistant coach with New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-College:...

, the all-time franchise leader in games played, games started and minutes played, would retire at season's end. Petke had lost his starting position earlier in the season. "After many months of contemplation, I know that this is the best choice for me and my family," Petke said. "When I first started playing in MLS, I could have not imagined the type of career I was so fortunate to experience over these past 13 years. I am indebted to my family, current and former teammates and coaches and the fans for their support and encouragement. I am at peace with my decision and blessed that I am able to end my career in a place where I truly call home."

Eight days later John Wolyniec
John Wolyniec
John Wolyniec is a former American soccer player who is now a coach in the New York Red Bulls youth system.-Youth and Amateur:...

 announced his retirement. After being released by the club in late July to make roster space for Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...

, Wolyniec entertained offers from other clubs. Finding no offers to his liking, he accepted a position with the Red Bulls Academy on September 9.

Five days after that a third long-time MetroStar/Red Bull announced his retirement. Midfielder Seth Stammler
Seth Stammler
Seth Stammler is a retired American soccer player.-College:Stammler attended Gahanna Middle School East and Gahanna Lincoln High School, and played four years of college soccer at the University of Maryland, captaining the team in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons...

, the longest continuously tenured Red Bulls player, said he would retire at the conclusion on the season. In actuality, Stammler left the club after the September 11 mach to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...

. He did not feature in any of the remaining 6 games or 2 playoff fixtures.

On September 14, Red Bulls traded talented but mercurial forward Macoumba Kandji
Macoumba Kandji
Macoumba Kandji is a Senegalese footballer who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Early Life and College:Kandji was born in Senegal, raised in The Gambia, and came to the United States in 2003...

 to Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...

 in exchange for midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy
Mehdi Ballouchy
Mehdi Ballouchy is a Moroccan footballer. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...

. Two days later, Ballouchy started for the club in its match at FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...

. Captain Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...

 was benched to make room for Ballouchy. This controversial move, when coupled with the arrival of Henry, fueled speculation about Ángel's future with the club. Near month's end Ángel told the New York Post, "(If) you ask me would I like to stay here, I would because I get along with everybody here. I've been expecting a team like this for years and finally we brought it. But if I have to move on, I will move on. I wish them well. I think (my departure) is very likely; but having said that, I've been grateful for every minute that I've been here." Ángel started all remaining games. The Dallas game also featured a bizarre incident in which Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...

 injured himself and Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman
Kevin Hartman
Kevin Hartman is an American soccer player who currently plays for FC Dallas in Major League Soccer-Youth and College:...

 during a goal celebration. Henry was fined $2000 by MLS while Hartman missed several weeks of action.

Besides the one-game benching of Ángel, the introduction of Ballouchy into the midfield also proved disruptive to the team's rotation and resulted in less playing time for emerging rookie Tony Tchani
Tony Tchani
Tony Tchani is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.-Amateur and college:...

.

On September 16, the club traded for D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

 defender Carey Talley
Carey Talley
Carey Talley is a former American soccer player.-College:Talley played high school soccer for Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee. His team won the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association soccer championship his junior and senior years in 1993 and 1994. He played his club soccer...

, surrendering a second-round pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft
2011 MLS SuperDraft
The 2011 MLS SuperDraft was the twelfth annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 13, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland, during the 2011 NSCAA Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center. The 2011 SuperDraft consisted of three rounds with eighteen selections each, for...

 in exchange. Talley started for Red Bulls on September 24 and played 40 minutes before getting injured and missing the rest of the season. Also on September 16, Red Bulls announced that little used rookie midfielder Irving Garcia
Irving Garcia
Irving Garcia is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-College and Amateur:Garcia attended San Luis High School and played college soccer at Yavapai College from 2006 to 2007 before transferring to UC Irvine in 2008...

 would miss the rest of the season due to injury.

Red Bulls continued making progress toward a playoff spot by defeating Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...

 3-1 on September 11, drawing 2-2 at FC Dallas
FC Dallas
FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...

 on September 16, and winning 2-0 at Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...

 on September 24. The club started the month with a 1-0 loss at defending MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...

 champion Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...

. At month's end, Red Bulls stood second in the Eastern Conference behind only Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

.

Lastly, on September 7, original franchise owner John Kluge died at the age of 95. Kluge owned the club from its founding in 1995 until selling it in 2001.

October

On October 2, Red Bulls defeated Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...

 1-0 to clinch a playoff spot and move into first place in the Eastern Conference, a remarkable turnaround for a club that finished last the prior season. Goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul
Bouna Coundoul
Bouna Coundoul is a Senegalese footballer who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, and for the Senegal national football team.-College:...

 was named MLS Player of the Week for his 12 save performance in the KC game.

Red Bulls followed this performance with a scoreless draw against Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake is an American professional soccer club based in Sandy, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The team competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. They currently play their home games at Rio Tinto Stadium. Real Salt Lake won...

, a 2-1 loss at Philadelphia Union, and a regular season-ending 2-0 victory over New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

. These results, along with mediocre late season play by rivals Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

, ensured a first place finish in the Eastern Conference for Red Bulls.

The club drew San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....

, sixth place finisher in the Western Conference, in the first-round of the playoffs. The first leg was held October 30 in San Jose. Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

 scored the game's only goal in the 55th minute and New York brought a 1-0 aggregate lead home to Red Bull Arena for the November 4 return leg. The October 30 match was also notable as it marked the first MLS start for 17-year old Red Bulls Academy product Juan Agudelo
Juan Agudelo
Juan Sebastián Agudelo is a Colombian-born American soccer player. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer....

, who had previously started only U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...

 matches.

Off the field, General Manager Erik Solér
Erik Solér
Erik Francisco Solér is a former Norwegian football player, a former football agent and currently a football commentator for Champions League and national team games on Norwegian TV as well as General Manager/Sporting Director of New York Red Bulls on a part time basis...

 told the press that the club would sign Norwegian international Jan Gunnar Solli
Jan Gunnar Solli
Jan Gunnar Solli is a Norwegian footballer currently playing for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Norway national football team....

 and English forward Luke Rodgers
Luke Rodgers
Luke John Rodgers is an English professional football striker who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.He played in England's Football League, starting at Shrewsbury Town in 1999...

 in January. The club did indeed sign these players in January. Meanwhile, captain Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...

 confirmed that he would not return in 2011, telling the press, "I know that I won't be a part of this team next year. For a fact."

November

The return leg of the first-round playoff match with San Jose
San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team is located in the San Jose, California, United States suburb of Santa Clara, and participates in Major League Soccer , the top level soccer league in the United States and Canada....

 proved to be among the biggest disappointments in club history. Leading 1-0 on aggregate, Red Bulls played woeful defense in losing 3-1 at home on November 4, falling 3-2 in aggregate. Two Bobby Convey
Bobby Convey
Robert Francis "Bobby" Convey is an American soccer player.-Youth:Convey attended the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, played club soccer for the Philadelphia Soccer Club Coppa, and was a member of the initial class of the Bradenton Academy that also included current national team...

 goals staked San Jose to a 2-1 series lead before Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...

 scored in the 78th minute to level the series. However, MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski
Chris Wondolowski
Christopher Elliott Wondolowski is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...

 scored three minutes later to restore San Jose's edge. In the dying moments, late substitute Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...

 sent a wide-open header over the crossbar and Red Bulls worst-to-first season ended. Teenage striker Juan Agudelo
Juan Agudelo
Juan Sebastián Agudelo is a Colombian-born American soccer player. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer....

 played brilliantly, hitting the post with a 39th minute shot, setting up Mehdi Ballouchy
Mehdi Ballouchy
Mehdi Ballouchy is a Moroccan footballer. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...

 for a good chance in the 60th minute, and assisting on Ángel's final Red Bulls goal in the 78th minute.

At the conclusion of the season, Estonian midfielder Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

 was named team Most Valuable Player, rookie Tim Ream
Tim Ream
Timothy "Tim" Ream is an American soccer player who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the United States national team. He usually plays as a central defender.-Youth and college:...

 was named team Defender of the Year, captain Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...

 won the team Golden Boot, and midfielder Seth Stammler
Seth Stammler
Seth Stammler is a retired American soccer player.-College:Stammler attended Gahanna Middle School East and Gahanna Lincoln High School, and played four years of college soccer at the University of Maryland, captaining the team in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons...

 received the club's Humanitarian of the Year award. Stammler also received the league-wide MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year for his charitable work in Haiti. MLS awarded its Executive of the Year award to Red Bull New York Managing Director Erik Stover.

2010 roster

As of August 10, 2010.

2010 technical staff

In

Date Player Previous Club Fee Ref
January 8, 2010   Roy Miller
Roy Miller (footballer)
Roy Miller Hernández is a Costa Rican footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Costa Rica national football team.-Club:...

 
  Rosenborg  Undisclosed
January 14, 2010   Chris Albright
Chris Albright
Christopher John Albright is an American soccer player who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:Albright attended William Penn Charter School...

 
  New England
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...

 
Trade
January 14, 2010   Tony Tchani
Tony Tchani
Tony Tchani is a Cameroonian footballer who plays for Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.-Amateur and college:...

 
Unattached Drafted
2010 MLS SuperDraft
The 2010 MLS SuperDraft was the eleventh annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 14, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 2010 NSCAA Convention. The 2010 SuperDraft consisted of four rounds with sixteen selections each, for a total of 64 players...

 
January 14, 2010   Austin da Luz
Austin da Luz
Austin da Luz is an American soccer player who currently plays for D.C. United in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:Da Luz attended St...

 
Unattached Drafted
2010 MLS SuperDraft
The 2010 MLS SuperDraft was the eleventh annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 14, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 2010 NSCAA Convention. The 2010 SuperDraft consisted of four rounds with sixteen selections each, for a total of 64 players...

 
January 14, 2010   Tim Ream
Tim Ream
Timothy "Tim" Ream is an American soccer player who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the United States national team. He usually plays as a central defender.-Youth and college:...

 
Unattached Drafted
2010 MLS SuperDraft
The 2010 MLS SuperDraft was the eleventh annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 14, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 2010 NSCAA Convention. The 2010 SuperDraft consisted of four rounds with sixteen selections each, for a total of 64 players...

 
January 14, 2010   Conor Chinn
Conor Chinn
Conor Chinn is an American soccer player who currently plays for the Atlanta Silverbacks in North American Soccer League.-College and amateur:...

 
Unattached Drafted
2010 MLS SuperDraft
The 2010 MLS SuperDraft was the eleventh annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 14, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 2010 NSCAA Convention. The 2010 SuperDraft consisted of four rounds with sixteen selections each, for a total of 64 players...

 
January 14, 2010   Irving Garcia
Irving Garcia
Irving Garcia is an American soccer player who is currently without a club.-College and Amateur:Garcia attended San Luis High School and played college soccer at Yavapai College from 2006 to 2007 before transferring to UC Irvine in 2008...

 
Unattached Drafted
2010 MLS SuperDraft
The 2010 MLS SuperDraft was the eleventh annual SuperDraft presented by Major League Soccer. It was held on January 14, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during the 2010 NSCAA Convention. The 2010 SuperDraft consisted of four rounds with sixteen selections each, for a total of 64 players...

 
March 3, 2010   Carl Robinson
Carl Robinson
Carl Robinson is a Welsh footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Wolverhampton Wanderers:...

 
  Toronto
Toronto FC
Toronto FC is a Canadian professional soccer club based in Toronto, Ontario which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada....

 
Trade
March 5, 2010   Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

 
  Tromsø  Undisclosed
March 11, 2010   Greg Sutton
Greg Sutton (soccer)
Greg Sutton is a Canadian soccer player who most recently played for Montreal Impact in the North American Soccer League...

 
Toronto Free
March 23, 2010   Ibrahim Salou    Vejle
Vejle Boldklub
Vejle Boldklub is a Danish football club with proud traditions from the town of Vejle. The club has won the Danish championship five times and the Danish cup title six times....

 
Undisclosed
March 26, 2010   Juan Agudelo
Juan Agudelo
Juan Sebastián Agudelo is a Colombian-born American soccer player. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer....

 
Academy Free
July 14, 2010   Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
Thierry Daniel Henry is a French professional footballer who plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.Henry was born in Les Ulis, Essonne where he played for an array of local sides as a youngster and showed great promise as a goal-scorer. He was spotted by AS Monaco in 1990 and...

 
  Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....

 
Free
August 2, 2010   Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican footballer who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Mexico national team. He plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder....

 
  Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....

 
Free
September 14, 2010   Mehdi Ballouchy
Mehdi Ballouchy
Mehdi Ballouchy is a Moroccan footballer. He currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and College:...

 
  Colorado
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...

 
Trade
September 15, 2010   Carey Talley
Carey Talley
Carey Talley is a former American soccer player.-College:Talley played high school soccer for Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee. His team won the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association soccer championship his junior and senior years in 1993 and 1994. He played his club soccer...

 
  D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...

 
Trade

Out

Date Player Destination Club Fee Ref
October 24, 2009   Albert Celades
Albert Celades
Albert Celades López is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a defensive midfielder.A tactically astute player with a strong defensive mentality, he is best known for his stints with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, and was part of the Spanish squad at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.-Club...

 
  Kitchee  Free
November 18, 2009   Leo Krupnik
Leonard Krupnik
Leonard Krupnik is a Soviet-born American soccer player who currently plays for Maccabi Netanya in the Israeli Premier League.-Youth and College:...

 
  Maccabi Netanya  Free
November 25, 2009   Nick Zimmerman
Nick Zimmerman
Nick Zimmerman is an American soccer player currently playing for Carolina RailHawks in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur :...

 
  Philadelphia Union  Expansion Draft
2009 MLS Expansion Draft
The 2009 MLS Expansion Draft took place on November 25, 2009, and was a special draft for the Major League Soccer expansion team Philadelphia Union.-Format:...

 
January 3, 2010   Jorge Rojas    Deportivo Táchira
Deportivo Táchira Fútbol Club
Deportivo Táchira Fútbol Club is a traditional and a popular Venezuelan football club. It was founded in 1974 by the initiative of Gaetano Greco...

 
Free
February 12, 2010   Danny Cepero
Danny Cepero
Danny Cepero is a former American soccer player.-College:Cepero played four years of college soccer at the University of Pennsylvania, where he captained the squad, set Penn's all-time career record for shutouts, and was named to the All-Ivy team in his senior year.-Professional:Cepero was drafted...

 
  Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders is an American professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....

 
Released
February 12, 2010   Carlos Johnson
Carlos Johnson (soccer)
Carlos Johnson is a Costa Rican footballer who currently plays for Cartaginés.-Professional:Johnson began his career in the C.S. Cartaginés youth system. He joined Herediano in 2004 and became one of the top right backs in Costa Rica. In his four years at the club Johnson appeared in 91 Primera...

 
  Once Caldas
Once Caldas
Corporación Deportiva Once Caldas is a Colombian association football team, based in Manizales. They were the surprise winners of Copa Libertadores de América in 2004, mainly due to the performances of Juan Carlos Henao and Jhon Viáfara...

 
Released
February 12, 2010   Walter Garcia
Walter García
Walter García is an Argentine footballer.-Club:García started his career with Argentinos Juniors in 2001, but in 2002 the club suffered relegation to the Argentine 2nd division...

 
Released
February 12, 2010   Matthew Mbuta
Matthew Mbuta
Andongcho "Matthew" Mbuta is a Cameroonian footballer currently playing for Crystal Palace Baltimore in the USSF Division 2 Professional League.-Africa and Asia:...

 
  Crystal Palace Baltimore  Released
March 24, 2010   Ernst Öbster
Ernst Öbster
Ernst Öbster is an Austrian footballer who plays for Wacker Innsbruck.-Club:Öbster began his youth career with SK Bischofshofen and in 2001 joined BNZ Salzburg. After impressing with BNZ, Öbster was called up by the SV Austria Salzburg first team and debuted in the Austrian Bundesliga as a 17...

 
  Wacker Innsbruck  Released
July 30, 2010   John Wolyniec
John Wolyniec
John Wolyniec is a former American soccer player who is now a coach in the New York Red Bulls youth system.-Youth and Amateur:...

 
Retired Released
August 6, 2010   Kevin Goldthwaite
Kevin Goldthwaite
Kevin Goldthwaite is a former American soccer player who last played for Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.-College:After graduating from Christian Brothers High School ,...

 
  Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers (USL)
Portland Timbers was an American professional soccer team based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 2001, the team played in various leagues at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, including the USL First Division and the USSF Division 2 Professional League, until the end of...

 
Released
September 14, 2010   Macoumba Kandji
Macoumba Kandji
Macoumba Kandji is a Senegalese footballer who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Early Life and College:Kandji was born in Senegal, raised in The Gambia, and came to the United States in 2003...

 
  Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...

 
Trade

In

Player From Start End Ref
  Brian Nielsen
Brian Nielsen (footballer)
Brian Nielsen is a Danish footballer who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, on loan from Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Bundesliga....

 
  Vejle
Vejle Boldklub
Vejle Boldklub is a Danish football club with proud traditions from the town of Vejle. The club has won the Danish championship five times and the Danish cup title six times....

 
April 14, 2010 December 31, 2010

Overall

Results summary

Results by rounds

Match results

Preseason

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Friendlies

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MLS regular season

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Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

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Conference Semi-final

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Squad stats

Formation

Major League Soccer only








.

Disciplinary records

MLS Player of the Week

Week Player Week's Statline
13   Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...

2G (82', 90')
18   Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...

2G (10', 58')
27   Bouna Coundoul
Bouna Coundoul
Bouna Coundoul is a Senegalese footballer who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, and for the Senegal national football team.-College:...

12 Saves, SO

MLS Goal of the Week

Week Player Goal Report
13   Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...

90' N/A
21   Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez
Rafael Márquez Álvarez is a Mexican footballer who plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer and the Mexico national team. He plays as a centre back or defensive midfielder....

35' Márquez GOTW
22   Dane Richards
Dane Richards
Dane Richards is a Jamaican footballer who currently plays for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-Youth and college:...

45'+1 Richards GOTW

MLS Save of the Week

Week Player Save Report
27   Bouna Coundoul
Bouna Coundoul
Bouna Coundoul is a Senegalese footballer who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, and for the Senegal national football team.-College:...

58' Coundoul SOTW

MLS All-Stars 2010

Position Player Note
FW   Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel
Juan Pablo Ángel Arango is a Colombian footballer. He currently plays for Chivas USA in Major League Soccer.-Atlético Nacional and River Plate:...

Coach's Pick
MF   Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere
Joel Lindpere is an Estonian professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He plays as a midfielder.-Estonia:...

Inactive Roster

External links

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