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Not a 'rebuilding year' for Red Bulls, says Petke
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Soccer notes

Not a 'rebuilding year' for Red Bulls, says Petke

Revs injury news, another RSLer with Arizona ties

  • Revs midfielder Chris Tierney and Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso clash near the edge of the Seattle penalty area.
    Joshua Pearson/TucsonSentinel.comRevs midfielder Chris Tierney and Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso clash near the edge of the Seattle penalty area.

The New York Red Bulls have gone through an upheaval since they exited in the first round of the 2012 playoffs. Back in November, they declined their option on 10 players, and have since cut or traded three of their more recognizable faces: Kenny Cooper, Joel Lindpere and Rafael Márquez.

But don’t dare call this a rebuilding year.

“If you look at the talent we have, I should be shot for saying it’s a rebuilding year,” said Red Bulls coach Mike Petke. Petke is also part of the new look. He was promoted to assistant after previous coach Hans Backe was let go.

“It is a rebuilding year in one aspect from a personality standpoint, a character standpoint, an identity standpoint,” he conceded. “These are things we haven’t had in the history of this club and we are trying to change that.”

“You can’t change everything at once,” he said. “But there are some very good moments that we see, and there are moments we need to keep working on.”

Revs and Real notes

New England’s Chris Tierney is out for Saturday’s game against New York with a severe ankle sprain. Tierney was injured in Wednesday night’s game against Seattle following a tackle from Osvaldo Alonso.

Other New England players who are out with injuries include Ryan Guy, Kelyn Rowe and Saër Sène. Goalkeeper Matt Reis and the newly signed Chad Barrett have been sidelined by illness.

Among the players for Real Salt Lake on Wednesday night was Carlos Salcedo, who comes out of Real Salt Lake’s Academy in Casa Grande. Salcedo also spent time in the Chivas youth system. The Mexican-born defender played over an hour in the match.

“I thought he was good really quite good,” RSL coach Jason Kreis said in an interview for Grande Sports Academy's website. “He is a guy that is very young, but doesn’t show it. [He’s] mature for his age and his play and tactical thinking. [I’m] impressed with where he is but he has a lot of room to grow still but I the future is looking food for him.”

2013 Desert Diamond Cup

Schedule and results

  • Feb. 13 - New England Revolution 0 - Seattle Sounders FC 2
  • Feb. 13 - New York Red Bulls 2 - Real Salt Lake 2
  • Feb. 16 - Seattle Sounders FC vs. Real Salt Lake, 4 p.m.
  • Feb. 16 - New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution, 6 p.m.
  • Feb. 20 - Real Salt Lake vs. New England Revolution, 5 p.m.
  • Feb. 20 - Seattle Sounders FC vs. New York Red Bulls, 7 p.m.
  • Feb. 23 - Third place match, 4 p.m.
  • Feb. 23 - Championship, 6 p.m.
TeamPtsGD
Seattle Sounders FC32
Real Salt Lake1
New York Red Bulls1
New England Revolution-2

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