Chris Konopka

[Quayman]

Theres a Chris Konopka playing for the NY Red Bulls in the MLS, first choice keeper, making his debut today. This the same one who played with Waterford?

[nigel-harps1954]

Tis indeed
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Konopka

[blue til i die]

HARRISON, NJ (August 13, 2011)-Former Jersey Shore Boca goalkeeper Chris Konopka made his Major League Soccer first-team league debut Saturday night at Red Bull Arena in front of a sell-out crowd of 25,171 and helped the New York Red Bulls earn a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Fire.

The Toms River NJ native played the full ninety minutes allowing two goals while making three saves, including the “save of the game” in the 71st minute against Chicago’s Uruguayan international Diego Chaves to help preserve the draw.

After two first half goals by Chicago put the Red Bulls down 2-1, New York was able to equalize in the 63rd minute after a nifty interchange.

Second half substitute Juan Agudelo smartly won a header in Chicago’s penalty area that fell to Joel Lindpere at the top of the area. Lindpere squared the ball to Dane Richards on the right flank who returned a centering pass to Lindpere. The Estonian international one-timed Richards ball with his left foot past Chicago’s Sean Johnson for his sixth goal of the season.

With the tie, the Red Bulls add another point to their 6-6-13 record. New York has won just once in their last 11 league matches. Chicago remains stuck on two wins this season with a 2-7-14 record.

Konopka, who signed as a reserve goalkeeper with Major League Soccer on April 1, was given the nod over the Red Bulls first three goalkeepers; Frank Rost (quadriceps injury), Bouna Coundoul (travel) and Alex Horwath.

Red Bull manager Hans Backe, former assistant under Sven-Goran Eriksson at Manchester City of the English Premiere League said the Jersey Shore native deserved the start. “Konopka has been outstanding this week,” Backe said. “He’s looked very sharp. That’s why we have selected him.”

[SkStu]

Theres a Chris Konopka playing for the NY Red Bulls in the MLS, first choice keeper, making his debut today. This the same one who played with Waterford?

yep, played with us too. Great rapper.

If you dont believe me and want to waste 2 minutes and 11 seconds of your life...

[BonnieShels]

Reading that summary of the game with all the singular talk hurt.

[outspoken]

Had a chat with Chris once when he was doing pre match warm up top bloke great to see him doing well I was always a big fan of his, underated in the LOI if you ask me.

[pineapple stu]

Konopka [...] was given the nod over [...] Bouna Coundoul (travel)

Irish League syndrome hitting the MLS? That can't be a good thing.

[Martinho II]

Had a chat with Chris once when he was doing pre match warm up top bloke great to see him doing well I was always a big fan of his, underated in the LOI if you ask me.

he was very close to joining us under Alan Gough's reign. Only for red tape to scupper the move..

[Dodge]

Didn't he win an FAI Cup medal two years in a row? On the bench for Bohs and then Fingal?

[outspoken]

he was very close to joining us under Alan Gough's reign. Only for red tape to scupper the move..

Yes I remember it well, the one that got away hey

[bluemovie]

Wow, that's pretty astonishing. Really sound fella and a decent shotstopper, but he was a liability for us last year. I used to call him Stallone because he reminded me of Hatch in Escape to Victory. Really dodgy on crosses, terrible with backpasses and general kicking. He was our starting keeper until June when he was sent off early on in a cup game at Longford. Dived at the feet of an attacker - red card and penalty. He had never even had a yellow card in his career until then. He swore he got the ball and it looked that way. Kevin Burns came into the team then and has kept his place ever since so Konopka was a bit unlucky. Can't believe he's playing with Henry and Marquez now. Fair play to the lad.

He had indeed won consecutive FAI Cup winners medals with Bohs and Fingal before joining us and had done well for Fingal in the promotion play-off against Bray. He had one absolute stormer for us when we beat Shels 1-0 away in May, but overall was an accident waiting to happen.