If the New York Red Bulls had a checklist for things they'd like to see in a victory on Saturday against Colorado, there is a good chance several boxes were checked out.
Thierry Henry scores a goal? Check. Dane Richards keeps up his impressive play? Check. Rafa Marquez and Tchani play another good game together? Check. Tim Ream has a strong rebound game after struggling last week? Check.
Henry, Richards and Ream all scored goals to help the Red Bulls down Colorado, 3-1, at Red Bull Arena on Saturday. Omar Cummings scored a brilliant goal to make the score 2-1, and give Colorado some life in the second half, but Richards finished the Rapids off with his second goal of the season.
The victory improved New York to 12-8-4, moving the Red Bulls to within four points of Columbus, with the Crew facing Los Angeles later tonight.
Colorado came in riding a two-match winning streak but started the match slowly as New York dominated the early going. Henry and Richards were especially active, with Richards putting a dangerous shot on goal and drawing a dangerous free kick in the opening minutes.
Henry scored his second MLS goal in the 17th minute on a clever combination with Joel Lindpere, who sent a perfect back-heel pass into Henry's path. Henry blasted a close-range shot past Matt Pickens to open the scoring.
Ream scored his first professional goal in the 32nd minute when he raced in on the back-posted and volleyed home a Tony Tchani cross to make the score 2-0.
Cummings had the goal of the day in the second half when he raced from midfield and unleashed a left-footed blast from 35 yards away to pull the Rapids within a goal.
Richards answered his countryman's tally when Angel jarred a ball loose in the area that fell to Richards, who chipped a shot over Pickens to make the score 3-1.
Colorado appeared to have an argument for a penalty later in the second half when Ream barged into Cummings in the penalty area, but referee Baldomero Toledo didn't call a foul.
The Red Bulls delivered a solid team effort, with the midfield winning its battle against Colorado. Marquez and Tchani outplayed the Colorado tandem of Pablo Mastroeni and Jeff Larentowicz, while Richards wreaked havoc on the left side of the Rapids defense. The Red Bulls defense also held up well against the Rapids tandem of Cummings and Conor Casey, with Casey rendered invisible on the night.
Here are the match highlights:
New York will next travel to Texas to take on red-hot FC Dallas on Thursday. Colorado will play host to New England next Saturday.
what a difference world class players make – I shudder when I think of Ubripovic and Kandji. The team looks great and is a pleasure to watch…you always feels they have a goal just waiting to be scored
Just to clarify something ,black arm band wasn’t for 9-11 victims , it might look like this .there was a death in red bull family ,as one our players suffered loss of a father…and the team united in morning to a fellow player..
Ives- Can you please post that MLS playoff table you had last season? The constant math is killing me.
good point, America produces good goalkeeper so teams usually do not suffer much in this position. with a solid defense, condoul will be fine ,he’s mad many good saves for redbull this season. He cant Kick out so he passes to the back four. and all four of those guys are good with the ball at their feet. plus Rafa who is even better sits right in front of them .
Coundoul is ok. Not world class, but he makes the saves you expect a decent GK to make. His distribution is ok too.
One reason the old Metrostars never went all the way is that they overspent on Tony Meola. In a league with tight budgets, overspending on the keeper means you’re weaker at more important positions.
I think this Red Bull team is going to be very hard to beat through the rest of the year. As the new DPs further integrate into the team’s play they will be a handful.
The only questions on this team are an attacking midfielder and a goalkeeper. The lack of a true attacking midfielder is occasionally starving the service to Henry and Angel. However, Tchani and Marquez have been doing a reasonable job in switching in midfield although neither to date has show those qualities of a controlling number 10.
As for goal, I have never been sold on Coundoul. He will make some excellent saves when games are not in doubt and then make horrible blunders in close games.
If I were more sold on Coundoul, I would have to say they are the team to beat in the East, a much better team than Columbus, that has significantly faded this year from last.
add DC to that and I am with you
Looked like a great performance. This team looks better all the time.
Agreed.
Just wanted to add that Henry’s gesture to the victims of 9/11 was pure class. Some folks may have sporting issues with his handball vs. Ireland, but I don’t think anybody can doubt his sincerity in the goal non-celebration. Merci beaucoup, Thierry.
Team looks great. I still think there’s a lack of leadership in the attacking midfield position, but playing with two defensive midfielders seems to be working. I still think it might make sense to pull Henry back a bit, and play him as a withdrawn striker.
Hope Rafa’s ankle is okay for Thursday. Obviously, we need that starting 11 to be healthy and in the country.
I’m certain Mexico has a game vs. Venezuela in Ciudad Juarez (of all places) sometime soon!
Good win nice to see red bullls get in playoff form. Red bullls to win champion this year.
Best part of the win wasn’t watching Henry or RAFA or JPA but rather seeing how draft picks like Ream & Tony the Tiger combined on that 2nd goal. Beauty!
BTW, is anyone enjoying Chicago’s struggles more than I am???
Goes to show you what happens when teams come to NY on 9/11 thinking they can win. Yeah Right!! EASY PICKINS **clap clap-clap clap clap** EASY PICKINS **clap clap-clap clap clap**
Ha ha, very true
solid win for us today. now we only need Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Senegal to not schedule any matches on FIFA dates and we should be set
everybody I was sitting with missed cumming’s goal. We all thought it was 3-0. Oh well, they played like they dominated the whole game.