The Red Bulls finally broke their offensive malaise in Saturday’s 3-0 rout of San Jose, scoring more goals in one game behind Luke Rodgers and Thierry than they had in their first four. And now they insist there won’t be any letdown tomorrow, not playing in front of a nationally-televised audience at archrival D.C. United (8:30 pm, ESPN2/Deportes).
“It’s a rivalry. It’s nice to have the (Atlantic) Cup back in New York after so long having it be away,’’ said defender Tim Ream, whose Red Bulls hoisted the Atlantic Cup for only the second time last year, and for the first time since 2003.
“It gives you chance to showcase the team and how you play. When other teams are watching, it gets everyone’s attention, the entire country’s attention, playing a big game on national TV. It’s important to go there and get up, and really, really take it to them. ESPN, it’s a huge deal. Whenever soccer in this country is on national TV, it’s a huge deal. It’s only going to help the league.’’
Ream and fellow centerback Rafa Marquez anchor an airtight defense that’s allowed just two goals and an MLS-low 8.4 shots-per-game; but for the Red Bulls (2-1-2, eight points), it’s their suddenly-revived attack that will draw attention.
Newcomer Rodgers got a brace and an assist in his first home start _ and first alongside Henry _ to win MLS Player of the Week honors. And perhaps even more important, Henry himself snapped an agonizingly-long 684-minute goalless streak that dated to last Sept. 11.
“The goals are always going to come if you play the way we played on Saturday, with desire and commitment starting from the front,’’ said Henry, who had his desire and commitment questioned by some fans while he was suffering through an injured Achilles and ineffective play.
But the French star’s goal and assist Saturday _ followed by a visceral, even profane celebration towards the Garden State Supporters Club that had taunted him while he lay injured moments earlier _ squelched any questions about his desire.
“I’ve been pain-free for the first time this week and the end of the week before. Hopefully I can stay like this and give 110 percent for the team,’’ said Henry, fully aware that D.C. was coming off a solid 3-0 laugher at Toronto behind another goal from MLS leader Charlie Davies.
“They don’t give up; they come back. They did something we haven’t done yet; win away from home. Hopefully we can do it. We know it’s going to be a difficult game, a derby.’’
United may be in just fifth place in the Eastern Conference with seven points, but they’re vastly-improved. They mustered a paltry 21 goals in 30 games last season, ten fewer than the next-worst team in the league, but they’ve scored nine goals already through five games. Midfielder Chris Pontius is back to attacking the goal and getting stuck in defensively, while Davies _ on a season-long long _ is clearly recovered from the near-fatal car wreck that ironically happened in the D.C. area and cost him a bid at the World Cup.
