Forward and U.S. National Team member Juan Agudelo scored his first career MLS goal as the New York Red Bulls earned a 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC in the team's opening match of 2011 in front of 20,982 at Red Bull Arena. Goalkeeper Greg Sutton made seven saves to earn the clean sheet for the defending Eastern Conference Regular Season Champion. The Red Bulls immediately threatened Seattle's net from the get-go and controlled possession for most of the first half. In the fourth minute, Thierry Henry was able to re-direct a pass on frame and goalkeeper Kasey Keller was forced to dive to his right and palm it away. Keller again got the upper hand against Henry five minutes later after Agudelo earned a penalty kick when he was clipped by defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado in the box. Henry stepped up and drove his attempt inside the left post, but Keller guessed correctly and parried it. Seattle had a strong opportunity in the 15th minute, as Alvaro Fernandez and Fredy Montero played a nifty give-and-go that left Fernandez alone on net. However, the Uruguayan's chip went straight at Sutton. Montero later attempted to test Sutton from distance with a long range blast that the goalkeeper blocked and collected. With seven minutes left in the interval, Fernandez slipped Montero through and the Colombian striker's shot from the right side was saved by Sutton. After a melee in front of net, Sutton smothered the ball to keep the game scoreless. Soon after, Montero got space on the endline and lifted his acute-angle shot off the post. Both teams hunted for the first goal in the second half and Red Bulls midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy nearly provided it for the hosts, deflecting a Rafa Marquez corner just past the right upright. Agudelo gave the Red Bulls the lead with 20 minutes to play. Midfielder Teemu Tainio got the ball back for New York and hit a high, left-footed pass to an on-rushing Agudelo. Agudelo brushed off pressure from his defender and curled a shot past Keller and into the net. Substitute Tony Tchani almost iced the game with moments to play, when his header off a Marquez corner kick was tipped over the bar by Keller. Sounders forward Lamar Neagle could have earned a point for Seattle in second half stoppage time, putting a rebound from a Montero free kick over the bar. The Red Bulls next face the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium Saturday, March 26 at 4:00 PM ET. New York then returns home to battle the Houston Dynamo at Red Bull Arena on April 2 at 7:30 PM. For tickets, call the Red Bulls at 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
