Thierry Henry turns back the clock; a landmark performance for the dominant Red Bulls
Sep 29, 2012, 10:19 PM EDT
Getty Images Just for a minute there, it looked like 2002 all over again.
Thierry Henry was running the left channel Saturday at Red Bull Arena in bouncing ways that were surely evocative of his finest years at Highbury, the former grounds of Arsenal, where King Thierry once ruled so majestically.
Henry really was all that Saturday against Toronto FC as the Red Bulls asserted themselves with a 4-1 win over the beleaguered Canadians.
He connected wonderfully with Red Bulls strike partner Kenny Cooper. (Who seemed for all the world to have been given a strict directive: “Shoot if you’re close, otherwise pass immediately to Henry!” It worked wonderfully.)
Henry found great spots on the field, his passing was accurate and he even took on the occasional TFC defender.
Yes, Toronto FC is barely a credible MLS opponent right now. No offense to the team, because the effort is there. But a roster that’s so poorly assembled to begin with, and then cracked to the core through injury, is one that’s ripe for plucking. Which Henry did with veteran aplomb.
That said, a goal and three assists is still a goal and three assists. And what inspiring moments they were.
His second assist, on Kenny Cooper’s second goal, was absolutely world class. You have to watch close to see Henry glance quick as a fox over his left shoulder, spotting his onrushing strike partner and then laying the ball into place perfectly.
Clearly, the man still sees passes so many attackers would miss.
Finally, the long-range looping beauty over TFC’s stranded ‘keeper, No. 4 for his team, was struck with the nonchalant assurance that only comes from someone with Henry’s illustrious CV.
Watch all the highlights here and marvel and what may well be the top performance of MLS Round 30.
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- joeyt360 - Sep 30, 2012 at 3:19 PM
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LOL at Eckersley being so fooled he levelled his own keeper.
Provocative statement: this is why there are superstar calls (or in this case, rulings). If Henry had gotten the same suspension as an average MLS player, these highlights never happen.
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- arsenalhenry - Sep 30, 2012 at 3:40 PM
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Americans! If you want to look like you know what you’re talking about, then you should not refer to Thierry Henry as King Thierry. His moniker happens to be King Henry like King Henry the Eight. He is an Arsenal legend and we Gooners are quite particular about how is referred to. I am so jealous of America right now. Would kill for him to play for Arsenal again. Class is class.
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- Steve Davis - Oct 1, 2012 at 10:30 AM
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Well, Arsenal Henry, thank you sincerely for reading the blog. And I promise (PROMISE!) that when more of the good football supporters from England read this blog than the good soccer supporters of the United States, I will call Thierry Henry whatever you like. Until then, as you can probably guess, the majority of readers are not actually from England. Therefore, no offense, I’m not too concerned with how Arsenal fans prefer the man be labeled.
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- arsenalhenry - Oct 2, 2012 at 9:30 AM
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I am really sorry if I came across rude. I am not and nor was I trying to nitpick here. Was just pointing out that he is not called King Thierry but King Henry (world-wide not just at the Emirates/Highbury stadium). Since your article mentioned the term – King Thierry – I figured you were probably thinking about his famous nickname and merely corrected you. It’s not about how we Gooners want him labelled, but rather what his nickname is. It’s similar to Sir Alex Ferguson being called The Boss or Arsene Wenger being called The Professor. However I am glad America seems to be enjoying soccer and American Soccer League. Cheers. Also, I did truly enjoy reading this blog.
P.S You will be surprised at the number of Premier League fans reading up on ASL news just to see how their old legends are doing
