HENRY TALLIES TWO AS RED BULLS TOP CREW, 3-1

A two goal, one assist performance from captain Thierry Henry led the New York Red Bulls to come-from-behind 3-1 win over the Columbus Crew on Saturday at Red Bull Arena. After pulling New York level with his 12^th goal of the year, Henry set up Dax McCarty’s 79^th minute game-winner, and added an “Olimpico goal” – finding the back of the net straight off of a corner kick – in second half stoppage time (click link for the goal).

The win improved New York to 14-7-7, 49 points on the season, moving the Red Bulls into second place in the Eastern Conference (pending the result of Saturday’s match between the Chicago Fire and Montreal Impact). 

It took just three minutes for the breakthrough with Columbus (12-10-6, 42 points) taking an early advantage. After Andy Gruenebaum denied Henry’s effort on goal, the Crew broke the other way. Jairo Arrieta played a one-two with Milovan Mirosevic, with Arrieta sending in a low cross from the left side of the penalty area. The ball skipped through the New York defense and to Mirosevic, who tapped it past Bill Gaudette for his third goal of the season. 

New York quickly tied the game when two of their Designated Players combined in the ninth minute. Midfielder Rafa Marquez, starting his first match since July 15, gathered the ball in his own half and looped a long pass over the Columbus defense into Henry’s path. The Frenchman controlled it with a deft touch and poked his shot past the outstretched Gruenebaum. 

The teams entered the second half still knotted and both goalkeepers did well to keep the score even early in the second half. In the 60^th minute, McCarty struck the outside of the ball with a right footed shot from about 30 yards out, but Gruenebaum dove and parried the bending blast away. A minute later, Gaudette answered the bell when he kept out Eddie Gaven’s long-range effort. 

Henry nearly put the Red Bulls ahead in the 78^th minute. The forward received a pass from Sebastien Le Toux and lifted a left footed shot on goal from near the penalty area, but the ball was headed off the crossbar by Sebastian Miranda and out for a corner kick. However, on the ensuing set piece, New York took the lead when McCarty headed Henry’s corner kick into the top left corner of the net. 

In second half stoppage time, Henry added the final score of the night with a highlight reel effort. The Red Bulls’ captain took a corner kick from the left flag and his delivery bounded off the far post and went directly into the goal. With the victory, New York remained undefeated at home this season with a 10-0-3 record.  

New York Red Bulls 3, Columbus Crew 1
September 15, 2012 – Red Bull Arena – Harrison, NJ
MLS Regular Season