The New York Red Bulls were able to ride a three-goal second half performance and keep pace atop the Eastern Conference with a 4-1 win over the Houston Dynamo Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium. Thierry Henry and Jonny Steele each had a goal and an assist while Eric Alexander and Lloyd Sam also found the back of the net, as New York improved to 45 points off a 13-9-6 record, moving into a first place tie in the Eastern Conference with Sporting Kansas City.
The Red Bulls, which earned their first-ever regular season win against Houston, will next play on Sept. 14 against Toronto FC at 7:00 PM at Red Bull Arena (TV: MSG; Radio: ESPN Deportes Radio Nueva York 1050 AM). Tickets for Red Bulls matches are available by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
New York was able to take the lead following terrific buildup play in the 14th minute. After the visitors regained possession, New York played a series of passes in the middle of the field capped off with Alexander playing a give-and-go with Jonny Steele. Alexander got the ball back and curled it over goalkeeper Tally Hall and into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.
However, Houston was able to tie the game four minutes later. Jason Johnson was able to control an Alex Lopez pass in the box and poked it by goalkeeper Luis Robles.
Robles made a terrific stop in the 28th minute to keep the score tied, going to his right to palm a Will Bruin blast before diving to control it. On the other end, Henry was able to flick it over the top to Bradley Wright-Phillips, as the English forward held off his defender before getting off a shot that Hall deflected out. Wright-Phillips then almost gave New York the lead seconds prior to the break, nodding a Kosuke Kimura cross on target. However, Hall was there to acrobatically swat the ball out.
New York gained the lead for good two minutes into the second half. David Carney’s long ball was headed down by Wright-Phillips to Henry. Henry was able to weave alone into the box and slid it home.
The Red Bulls then doubled their advantage in the 59th minute. Henry was on the left wing and controlled a Carney pass. The Frenchman found Wright-Phillips, who chipped it to an onside Steele. Steele was able to round Hall and put it into the vacant net.
With Houston pushing for another goal, the Red Bulls wrapped up the result two minutes from full time. Sam controlled a Henry diagonal pass on the right wing and played a one-two with Peguy Luyindula. The Red Bulls midfielder controlled Luyindula’s feed in the box and slotted it into the lower left hand corner of the goal.
Former Red Bulls Academy defender Matt Miazga made his professional debut, coming on for Markus Holgersson in the 76th minute.
New York Red Bulls 4, Houston Dynamo 1
September 8, 2013 – BBVA Compass Stadium – Houston, TX
MLS Regular Season
Scoring Summary:
NY: Eric Alexander 3 (Jonny Steele 6) 14’
HOU: Jason Johnson 1 (Alex Lopez 1) 18’
NY: Thierry Henry 8 (unassisted) 47’
NY: Jonny Steele 4 (Bradley Wright-Phillips 1, Thierry Henry 8) 59’
NY: Lloyd Sam 4 (Peguy Luyindula 3) 88’
