In terms of performance, the New York Red Bulls showed improvement. In terms of a result, it still was not good enough.
Not for Thierry Henry, anyway.
Following Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with rivals D.C. United at RFK Stadium, Henry (above, right) told reporters that while the Red Bulls did well from a playing standpoint, he was still displeased.
Red Bulls, United battle to 2-2 draw
Displeased with them needing a late goal from Wilman Conde to salvage a result and displeased with them failing to win a match that they dominated for large stretches.
“I think they were going to rob three points, for my liking,” Henry said. “I thought we passed the ball way better than them today, we played way better than them. But somehow they came back into the game.
“We were not in any type of danger, we had the ball, we were creating, playing through the lines, going on the wings, crossing and then suddenly you find yourself in a bad position,” he added. “Having saying (sic) that, we didn’t also deserve to win [in a 3-2 win over Portland on Aug. 19], so sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t go your way.”
Henry made his return to the Red Bulls’ lineup after a one-game absence following the birth of his newborn son, and he got off to the flying start head coach Hans Backe had publicly hoped for prior to the game. Henry set up Joel Lindpere’s opener in the 19th minute and also teed up Dax McCarty with a great overhead pass that the diminutive midfielder failed to convert.
Even with Henry’s inspired start, New York made costly errors and they needed Conde’s cannon of a shot late just to avoid another defeat on the road, where they have been winless since May 19.
“I’m really not too happy about with the way we drew,” Henry said. “I mean the goal was amazing, don’t get me wrong, but we shouldn’t have been 2-1 down, but again that’s the way it is.”
Franco Panizo covers the New York Red Bulls for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at Franco8813@gmail.com.
