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Henry sets the table as Red Bulls rebound with key victory vs. hapless Toronto FC

ThierryHenryGOW (ISIPHotos.com)

New York Red Bulls star Thierry Henry returned from his one-match suspension in style, tearing apart Toronto FC's defense to help the Red Bulls snap their recent funk and give them a much-needed boost.

Henry notched three assists before capping his stellar night with a perfect long-range chip to lead the Red Bulls to a 4-1 thrashing of last-place TFC in front of an announced sell-out crowd at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night.

Henry set up a pair of Cooper goals before delivering a classy finish of his own on a long-range chip to snap New York's two-match winless skid.

The win pushes the Red Bulls into second place in the Eastern Conference. They are tied on points with the Chicago Fire, but hold the tiebreaker (goals scored). The Red Bulls and Fire do battle at Red Bull Arena next Saturday.

Toronto actually scored first, courtesy of Ryan Johnson, but the Canadian side didn't hold the lead for long before Henry set up a Markus Holgersson equalizer with a dangerous corner kick headed home by the Swedish centerback.

Henry played provider again in the 27th minute when he delivered a perfect pass to set up Kenny Cooper with a wide-open net to give New York a 2-1 lead. Henry set up Cooper with his second goal when, with three defenders closing in, he hit a perfect pass to a wide-open Cooper that he buried to make the score 3-1.

With the match already decided, Henry added a highlight-reel finish when he one-timed a long pass from Cooper over TFC goalkeeper Freddy Hall from 30 yards away.

Here are the match highlights:

What did you think of the match? Think Henry deserves MLS MVP consideration. See the Red Bulls beating the Fire next week? Is Toronto FC the worst MLS team you've ever seen?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. As a STH on an aisle, I can tell you that even when RBA is totally sold out and everybody actually shows up, the arena is never 100% full. People show up late–30 minutes in, people are still coming in. And then around 80′, people start leaving.

    C’mon folks! Parking WILL BE A HASSLE! Anticipate a little.

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  2. So Steve Nicol really was the brain trust all along? Hah.

    Still wish IMFC & Van could both make playoffs this season. That & a hockey lockout would mark the worst winter in Toronto since…ok most winters in Toronto probably suck.

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  3. The two worst coaches in MLS history and we get them both in the same season. Can’t wait to see what the geniuses in the TFC FO come up with on October 12th when they claim they’re going to send out the season ticket renewal notices.

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  4. Lloyd Sam was a revelation until he got hurt and Barklarge was outstanding, maybe even better than I remembered. Henry was just spectacular and this game shows why Cooper needs to be there with him. Connor Lade had a nice run, but he should return to the bench.

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  5. Henry was undeniable, but what is up with his goal celebrations? These long, intimate hugs and no look of pleasure on his face. It’s like “Yes, I am God, come adore me you b*tches.”

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  6. I don’t think you’re being negative. I thought at half time that it would’ve been disappointing to finish at 2-1, so I agree with you.

    Also agree with improvement with Sam/Barklage on the right, though if I had to rank them I think we didn’t miss much with Solli/Barklage.

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  7. Not to rain on our own parade, but missing Hassli, Frei, Koevermans & Frings…@ home…NY SHOULD rip that team apart.

    NY has to repeat that for 90 mins vs Chicago & KC…where it won’t be quite so easy, before they can feel like honest contenders…. That said, massive upgrades out wide with Sam & Barklage starting.

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  8. Only TFC could have the two worst managers in MLS history within the same season. Waiting for Johnny Ramone’s knife twisting when he gets back from the game.

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  9. Remember when Toronto first came in the league & they & their fans were gonna show us how it’s done? They were real supporters & were gonna play proper footy and probably eat marmite too?

    What a joke of franchise.

    Reply

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