Photos by / Basilio Falcinelli

GIANTS STADIUM, NJ - August 12, 2006 -  79,002 fans filled the East Rutherford, New Jersey to watch New York Red Bulls take on Ronaldinho
and F.C. Barcelona.  Gone was the scorching temperature of the previous week giving way to the perfect temperature in the stadium for the fans as well
as on the field for the players.   While Barcelona claimed a 4-1 victory, the real victory was garnered by the fans who were treated to a dazzling display
of soccer at it's technical best. This writer saw no disappointment in the Red Bulls fans who watched their team go down in defeat at the feet of one of
the greatest teams on the planet. - Gerard Robbins / La Cancha
®

                         


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NEW YORK RED BULLS DEFEATED BY FC BARCELONA 4-1 IN FRONT OF
SELLOUT CROWD AT  GIANTS STADIUM

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (Saturday, August 12, 2006) - In front of a sellout crowd of 79,002 – just three
fewer than the all-time attendance record for a soccer game at Giants Stadium – a brace by two-time reigning
FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho and strikes by Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola lifted UEFA
Champions League winner FC Barcelona past the New York Red Bulls, 4-1, Saturday night.

“It was a great opportunity for us and I thought we played well,” said Red Bulls goaltender Tony Meola who
made six saves in 45 minutes of action. “We held it together. [Barcelona] is probably one of the only teams in
he world who can bring 10 subs off the bench and get better and better. Their biggest problem is figuring out
who to play.”

“I think it’s particularly good for the young players,” said Red Bull New York Sporting Director and head
coach Bruce Arena, who was on the sideline for his first game since joining the team. “Obviously that game is
a challenge for any team in the world. They are a terrific team, I think they were the best club team in the
world last year and they just got better.”

Midfielder Youri Djorkaeff, who made his return to the squad after missing time due to personal reasons,
tallied the Red Bulls’ goal in the first half after Ronaldinho opened the game’s scoring.

Both teams had scoring opportunities in the first half, but arguably the best player in the world, Ronaldinho,
drew first blood after New York defender Marvell Wynne took down Samuel Eto’o in the box in the 13th
minute. Despite Meola getting a paw on the penalty, Ronaldinho converted, giving the La Liga champions
the early lead.

However, the Red Bulls answered 15 minutes later. Dema Kovalenko stripped Ronaldinho of the ball and
slid it to Edson Buddle, whose shot right of goal was deflected. An on-rushing Djorkaeff though, was there
to poke it in from close range.

Barcelona started to pull away just five minutes into the second half. Messi was able to get free on the right
wing and lofted a cross to Ronaldinho, who was able to tap it home. Eleven minutes later, Messi was sprung
through into the penalty box by Eidur Gudjohnsen, with only Jon Conway to beat, as he dribbled past the
goaltender and slid it in. Saviola closed the game’s scoring just a few minutes from full time.

Still, the Red Bulls enjoyed the experience of playing against star-studded Barcelona.

“I think if we don’t learn something from it, then it wasn’t a productive night,” Meola said. “We have to learn
something from it like any other game. We’re playing a game that has arguably the best players in the world
and they are all in their prime. We should be proud of what we did.”

The Red Bulls have a short break before taking on Eastern Conference leader, D.C. United, in Giants
Stadium on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised on MSG and will mark Arena’s first
MLS game on the sidelines for the Red Bulls – this one coming against the former team he won two MLS
Cups with in 1996 and 1997.

“Every game we play this year will be a special game because it’s important for us to win and put ourselves
into a position for the playoffs,” Arena said. “Because I coached there previously, it’s really not a factor.
We measured ourselves tonight against the best club in the world and on Wednesday, against the best
team in MLS.”

*sellout crowd, second largest crowd for a soccer match ever at Giants Stadium (7/31/03 Manchester
United/Juventus 79,005)

Source: New York Red Bulls



     

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