Red Bull New York and the Football World Series today announced a multi-year agreement that will see Red Bull Arena serve as one of the annual sites for the major international soccer tournament. The 2010 version of the summer tournament will also be staged in Amsterdam, Holland; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Shanghai, China. The New York Red Bulls will serve as the host and participate as one of the four teams in the four-match tournament.  READ FULL RELEASE HERE.

Red Bulls defender Andrew Boyens and the New Zealand National Team punched their ticket to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa early this morning with a thrilling 1-0 second leg win over Bahrain at Wellington’s soldout Westpac Stadium in front of 35,194 fans. Boyens (left in the photo) earned his 13th cap, coming into the game as a second half substitute as New Zealand was trying to hold onto its 1-0 aggregate lead after it drew 0-0 in Bahrain in the first leg. New Zealand will make only its second World Cup appearance next summer.

Congrats to Andy!

A milestone was attained Friday, as Red Bulls Reader reached the 1000 post plateau earlier today.  We remember our first post like it was yesterday, or more accurately almost two years ago, and it was, as we launched this blog in late February 2008.  But enough about us, as the weekend is nearly upon us, and with it two World Cup qualifiers that have New York Red Bull implications.

Andrew Boyens and New Zealand host Bahrain on Saturday in the second leg of their aggregate series.  New Zealand, the Oceanic Region Champions, drew 0-0 at Bahrain, which placed third place Asian Region, in the first leg in October, setting up this decisive match.  The winner books its ticket for South Africa.  Read previews HERE and HERE.  Boyens, who is slated to be in the 18, will try and help lead the All-Whites to their first World Cup appearance in 27 years.  The match will kick off at 2:00 AM ET Saturday.

Meanwhile, Carlos Johnson and Costa Rica will host Uruguay in the first leg of their aggregate series between the fourth place CONCACAF team and the fifth place CONMEBOL team. Read previews HERE and HERE.  The match will begin at 9:00 PM ET Saturday night, with the return match scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 7:0 PM ET in Uruguay.  With Estadio Ricardo Saprissa being such a tough place for opponents to play, Costa Rica will look to take a positive step forward.  The artificial surface of Saprissa should not take an adjustment period for Johnson after playing this season at Giants Stadium.

Red Bulls Reader wishes both players and their sides the best of luck this weekend!

GEPA pictures/ Thomas Bachun

With the international break this weekend, Red Bull Salzburg wanted to keep the fitness levels of its players high, so RBS played a friendly with Red Bulls Salzburg Juniors this morning at the club’s training complex at Taxham.  All three New York Red Bull players training with the club saw action with the Juniors, with Luke Sassano playing the full 90 and Nick Zimmerman and Jeremy Hall each playing 45 minutes.  The final scoreline read 3-2 in favor of the Senior Team with Alexander Zickler scoring all three goals for RBS.  Here is a brief match report from Sassano:

“I played right back, Jeremy played left mid, and Nick played right mid.  Jeremy scored our second goal.  Nick played well.  I played well, minus gifting their forward with the first goal… still shaking off that rust .”

Dietmar Beiersdorfer and Heinz Hochhauser hosted a press briefing as well.  Beiersdorfer, as Head of Global Soccer, was presented Heinz Hochhauser’s new function at Red Bull Salzburg.  Hochhauser will now coordinate the club’s extensive international youth talent projects under the guidance of Beiersdorfer.

GEPA pictures/ Thomas Bachun

We sent the lads over to Austria with a small video camera, and we are eagerly awaiting their first shipment of videos.  Once we receive them, we will be sure to post them here on The Reader, so stay tuned.

Some New York Red Bulls First Team players, as well as the Red Bull Street Team, made an unannounced appearance at the Harrison Soccer Court in October to help spread the word of the World’s Game. The Harrison Soccer Court is within walking distance of Red Bull Arena, the new home of the Red Bulls, opening March 27, 2010.

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