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Red Bulls-FC Dallas Preview

Jul 3, 2009 - 5:08 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

New York (2-12-4) at FC Dallas (3-7-5), 9:00 p.m. EDT

Apparently the New York Red Bulls didn't think Jon Conway could end their road woes. Their next starting goalkeeper might have a reasonable chance to do so considering he won't have to contend with Kenny Cooper.

After releasing Conway, the Red Bulls look to end their MLS-record, regular-season road winless streak at 22 games Saturday night as they face an FC Dallas team that will be missing one of the league's top scoring threats.

New York's drought on the road was extended last Saturday night, losing 1-0 to Columbus in a rematch of the 2008 MLS Cup final. Two days later, the Red Bulls (2-12-4) decided to shake up their roster, releasing Conway and acquiring the rights to goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul from Colorado.

Conway, who was suspended late last season by MLS for using performance-enhancing drugs, was 1-7-1 with a 1.78 goals-against average. Last year, he started a career-high 28 games, posting a 1.50 GAA and seven shutouts.

Coundoul has a 17-22-12 career record and his 1.16 GAA is the second-lowest all-time for goalies who have played a minimum of 4,000 minutes. He will split time in net with Danny Cepero for New York, which is 0-16-6 during its road winless streak and 0-7-2 overall since May 8.

"I think he will be aggressive coming for crosses," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said of Coundoul. "Only time will tell. With our past experiences it seems players come to this club and it takes a little more if not much more to play here."

New York fared well defensively in its rematch with the Crew, who won last year's MLS Cup, and will now try to stop short-handed Dallas (3-7-5).

Dallas will be without Cooper for at least the next two matches as the forward joins the U.S. national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Cooper has scored seven of Dallas' 18 goals and recorded his first assist of the season in a 1-1 tie with Colorado on Wednesday night.

"It really does (leave) not only an offensive void for everything Kenny brings plus the experience," Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman said. "He's started 45 or 46 games in a row so it is a little bit of a change. At the same time, it gives opportunities for others and it will give us a chance to have a different look, too."

Brek Shea, who has one assist in seven appearances this year, is a candidate to start up front along with Jeff Cunningham, who has one goal and two assists.

Cooper's absence comes at a bad time for a Dallas club which has been building momentum, going 2-1-4 after losing six of its first eight matches.

New York and Dallas tied last season's series 1-all, as each team won at home with a shutout.