Henry Watch: Arsenal legend grabs ninth goal

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has begun his second season with the New York Red Bulls of the MLS and USA.Arsenal.com will be tracking his progress throughout the season.

Major League Soccer is now in its 16th year, and the striker is hoping to lead the Red Bulls to their first first-ever MLS Cup.

Each week, we’ll provide a brief look at the Arsenal legend’s performances for the Red Bulls.

New York Red BullS 5-0 Toronto FC
Wednesday, July 6
Red Bull Arena – Harrison, NJ

Despite strong play from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, the New York Red Bulls experienced a very rough patch throughout May. And with four straight road games, the team did not fare much better during the end of June and beginning of July. In fact, with the exception of a win against New England on June 10th, you have to look all the way back to April to find another New York league victory.

In response, the club made some changes, trading Dwayne De Rosario to DC United for midfielder Dax McCarty. The acquisition allowed the Red Bulls to shuffle their formation, slotting Henry in a “Dennis Bergkamp role.”

And suddenly, all of the frustrations melted away Wednesday night at home against Toronto.

Henry showed off his playmaking skills in the 18th minute when he collected the ball from Lindpere and moved up the left side. He took on a Toronto defender, cut back and sent a picture-perfect centering pass to Dane Richards, who unfortunately missed the golden opportunity to hand New York the early lead.

Fifteen minutes later, New York would get on the scoresheet courtesy of Henry. Jan Gunnar Solli pushed up the right side and swung in a low cross to Luke Rodgers in front of the goal. Rodgers was unable to control the pass with his first touch, but the ball slipped through the Toronto defense and fell to an unmarked Henry. The Frenchman side-footed it home for his league-leading ninth goal of the season.

In the 38th minute, Solli again looked to set up Rodgers but this time the Englishman took full advantage. In a goal reminiscent of Henry’s finest, Rodgers reached for the pass with his left foot, flicked the ball into the air and volleyed it past Toronto keeper Stefan Frei to make it 2-0.

But for some bad luck, Toronto nearly got back into the game early in the second half. Javier Martina’s turnaround shot beat a diving Greg Sutton, but the ball ricocheted off the post and back into the keeper’s arms.

Moments later, Toronto would pay for the miss chance. Henry fed Richards at the halfway line and the Jamaican international pushed forward to the penalty area. He slipped the ball to Lindpere who fired a shot past Frei and inside the far post.

Three to nil and the Red Bulls still weren’t done.

In the 67th minute, New York’s bench got involved when substitute Juan Agudelo headed Lindpere's corner kick past Frei. The two would link up again just before time, when Agudelo tapped home a Lindpere cross for his first MLS brace.

The win was only New York’s second in their previous 12 league games, but it was enough to lift the Red Bulls into first place in the Eastern Conference. Their closest rivals are Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew, who have two games in hand and one game in hand respectively.

New York’s next match is Saturday against longtime rivals D.C. United. 

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