HARRISON, N.J. – Thierry Henry has never played a game on the turf surface at Gillette Stadium.
He will next Saturday.
After falling to the New England Revolution, 2-1, in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Championship on Sunday, Henry told reporters that he would partake in next Saturday’s decisive leg. The veteran striker had been asked repeatedly over the past couple of weeks if he would suit up on the artificial field, but refrained from commenting until after Sunday's opener at Red Bull Arena.
“I’m playing. You happy?” Henry told media postgame.
The 37-year-old Henry has typically skipped games in New England and other stadiums with turf fields since signing with the Red Bulls in 2010 given his chronic Achilles’ issues. But he will play in a match that is do-or-die for New York.
“The only thing is if … my Achilles don’t last, then I will be on holiday if we don’t go through,” Henry said. “I’m sure guys wouldn’t care if I can walk or not after that. That’s just the way it is.”
Franco Panizo covers the New York Red Bulls for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached by email at Franco8813@gmail.com.
