Photo By Howard Smith of ISIphotos.com
BY MIKE NASTRI
Thierry Henry is finally here in New York and he's determined to bring a championship to his new team.
"I am just thrilled to be here, said Henry. "Everybody knows I love this city. But I can assure you that I came here to try to win. That is the most important thing. I am a competitor and I'm sure the boss will put a team out there to be sure that we can do it."
"I've had it in my mind for four or five months. Coming here was the only option for me. I wanted to play for the Red Bulls and New York."
New York has longed for the type of star power that will put fans in the seats like Pele did for the New York Cosmos decades ago. Henry will certainly help the attendance at Red Bull Arena, but more importantly Henry will help New York in another quest it's had for 15 years.
Henry could be the major piece needed for an improving Red Bull squad to finally bring an MLS Cup to New York.
"I think it's possible," said Henry. "The team is second in East."
"You never know what can happen, hopefully we can do it. You can never say it's going to be for sure, but I can assure you that me and my teammates will do everything we can to win."
Thierry is a proven winner leading Arsenal to two EPL titles and winning six trophies in one year with Barcelona including the UEFA Champion's League crown. He will emphasize a winning mentality that Hans Backe and Erik Soler have already begun instilling in this Red Bull squad.
The 1998 World Cup Champion will feature up top for the Red Bulls according to Hans Backe. Henry will be tasked with helping a Red Bulls team score goals, something they have struggled to do all season.
"We have signed an outstanding football player," said head coach Hans Backe. "I would rate him in the top ten ever in the premiership as a striker."
Henry is coming off a bad stretch in his career where he lost his starting job at Barcelona. The two time European Golden Boot winner admitted that he suffered through injury for the first four months of the club season, which certainly hindered his status with the squad. Still, the Red Bulls organization is adamant they are still receiving a player that is not past his prime.
"He is signed for 4 and 1/2 years and he is very very hungry to get New York it's first MLS championship," said Backe.
Henry will be one hundred percent committed to New York unlike David Beckham was to the Galaxy due to his lingering international ambitions. Henry retired from the French National Team and is making New York his permanent home.
And although Henry is a star with a distinguished history, there is little concern on the part of NYRB that there will be problems in the locker room.
"He has a solid personality which is needed when you bring in a star player to a club like this," said NYRB Sporting Director Erik Soler.
The doubts about how Henry will fit with the team and how he will perform have been put aside for now. The true impact of this signing will not be seen for a couple of seasons. A signing is judged on whether that player helped the team win. Henry's time for NYRB will only be a success if he makes the team better and ultimately brings the MLS Cup to New York.
While Henry will debut with forty five minutes against Tottenham on July 22nd, the true test will begin July 31st in his first MLS match against Houston.
Henry is determined to win in New York and only time will tell if he can bring his winning touch to Red Bull Arena.
Just heard a rumor that the new midfielder might be Ljungberg: that he’s given up on Seattle or Seattle’s given up on him. Anyone hear something similar?
I don’t think anyone cares where they NJRB fans come from. I was just egging on this irishapple kat who took my jesting original comment to heart.
I live in Brooklyn and catch the PATH from World Trade. Packed with NYRB fans on game days.
Oh God… well, maybe that will finally get Richards off the team…
I live in the Village and I’m in ESC. And the PATH trains to Red Bull Arena on matchdays are packed, FYI. Not even sure why this question is relevant though. Who cares where the fans are coming from? All that matters is that they’re coming.
Is it now? Boy, making up stuff is fun, isn’t it?
I don’t think anything changes for now. 4-1-3-2 or 4-4-2. I don’t think we have the mid-field talent to start getting inventive just yet. Things will change once DP3 shows up though.
It’s gonna be on FSC
I live in the Bronx, and I’m in ESC. Nice to meet you…
How many people from New York City are at the Redbull matches? Every Redbull fan I’ve met, in ESC, or otherwise is from Jersey. Anyways, thanks for the directions.
where can we watch the tottanhem nyrb game on the 22nd besides the stadium of course. Any live streams available?
Anyone have any thoughts on what the RBNY formation will look like with TH up top? Do they withdraw Angel and play 4-1-3-1-1? Do they keep playing 4-1-3-2 and just hope they score more than the other team?
The State of New Jersey is a suburb of NYC and Philly.
😉
So then how come NYRB’s NYC fan base is, like, nonexistent?
Spoken like a true Jersey native. Stay classy.
>
Agreed.
I had my doubts, but glad it finally happened. Just too bad Henry didn’t have a great year last season for any team he played on. Getting my tix for NYBR vs LAG at the Home Depot Center today …
dane richards…. master of magic and incompetence
Tais-toi, connard. Merde! Oublie ca…ce thème est vieux déjà. Imbécile.
None of it matters. LA Galaxy’s D will swallow him up so that only his FINGERTIPS can try to get the ball into the net!
Arriba Galaxy and the West Coast!
(On a sidenote that I’ll never admit to… Welcome T.H., I hope it all works out for you and NYRB… Crud. I just put it in writing…)
Where’s Craig Shumaker’s “erase, erase, erase” when you need it…
Lalas actually tried to make RBNY into a “SuperClub” when he was GM too. What a clown.
Yeah, because Red Bull Arena is like a bajillion miles from NYC and it takes FOREVER to get there on the PATH train from WTC that drops you off right outside the stadium. Jackass.
BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER!!!
neeeeew jerzzzzzzzy.
LAG welcomes NY to super clubdom!!!!
interested to see how much this will impact attendance in new york.
That’s what I was thinking. Garber bends over for any star though.
I have loved watching Henry since I began following the Premiership back in his Arsenal days. I only casually watch the MLS but I will go out of my way to watch RBNY games now. WOO
lol.agree.
are you serious mike, you must have just come back from Mars ha ha .
Ummm – isn’t a little uncouth for the Commissioner of the League to be wearing a specific team’s scarf?
Just sayin’…
Just heard a rumor that the new midfielder might be Ljungberg: that he’s given up on Seattle or Seattle’s given up on him. Anyone hear something similar?
“Henry will be one hundred percent committed to New York unlike David Beckham was to the Galaxy due to his lingering international ambitions.”
Everyone in LA thought David was 100% too… and then things went pear-shaped.
I thought it was hilarious that during the on-field photo op, Garber kept trying to grab a piece of the scarf and jersey but kept failing. Every time he failed, he looked so embarrassed…
Actually, the thing I’m most looking forward to is Henry staring in stupified wonder at Dane Richards, wondering what the hell’s doing…
May you die in a fire.
Excited to see how he acclimates. Definitely will have to check out Henry and the new stadium this fall.
On another note, shouldn’t Garber be wearing an MLS scarf?
Does Henry know he’s playing in Jersey? Sounds like he thinks he’s in NYC.
As a non-MLS fan, this signing will make me turn on the TV to watch a NYRB game. I am excited to see someone of TH’s quality come to the USA and he’s still “got it”. Outstanding pickup for MLS.
Improved the lyrics:
I’m Henry number 14 I am,
Henry number 14 I am, I am,
I play forward with Juan next door,
He has scored many times before,
But he never played with an Henry (Henry),
He alwyas had a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I’m his new main man I’m Henry,
Henry number 14 I am
“Henry will be tasked with helping a Red Bulls team score goals” — that’s a brilliant strategy!
I’m Henry the 8th I am,
Henry the 8th I am, I am,
I got married to the widow next door,
She’s been married 7 times before,
And every one was a Henry (Henry),
She wouldn’t have a Willy or a Sam (no Sam)
I’m her 8th old man I’m Henry,
Henry the 8th I am
I’m verry happy about this acquishion. He’ll be the best Red Bull player since Sergio Galvan Rey!
Welcome aboard TH14. Did anyone know Soler was so short. lol.
Great signing by NYRB, but I can’t wait to lay a hurt on him and erase the memories of last year when he makes his home debut against TFC on Aug 11!
Great stuff… Thanks Mike! Welcome Titi! Go Red Bulls!
Any word on who the other DP is?
I already have my tickets to watch New York play RSL at Rio Tinto. Should be a great game!