HARRISON, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls might be a little thin up top when they return to action in two days’ time.
Coming off a 2-1 win at home against the Montreal Impact on Wednesday, the Red Bulls could be without two of their top three forwards when they visit the New England Revolution on Saturday. Star striker Thierry Henry and fellow Frenchman Péguy Luyindula’s statuses are both up in the air for the Eastern Conference tilt, but for varying reasons.
Henry’s availability for the match at Gillette Stadium is unclear not because of a knock but because of his dislike for turf fields and history of injuries. The Red Bulls captain, who bagged a brace on Wednesday, said following the match with the Impact that he did not know whether he would play this weekend because of the hard playing surface.
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“I’ve got to speak with Mike [Petke],” Henry told reporters. “I’ve never played there, so we’ll see how it is.”
The situation with Luyindula appears to be even worse. The veteran forward suffered a left hamstring injury midway through the first half of the game against Montreal and underwent a scan shortly after stepping off the field in the 25th minute.
The results of that scan have not yet been revealed, but Luyindula wasn't optimistic on Wednesday when asked about his chances of suiting up for New York’s second meeting of the season with New England.
New York Red Bulls 2, Montreal Impact 1 | MLS Match Recap & Highlights
“For Saturday, it’s impossible. It’s impossible,” said Luyindula, who added that the injury was similar to the one he suffered in a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Fire last month.
If Henry and Luyindula sit out against the Revolution, Petke would be left with just three true forwards in Fabián Espíndola, Andre Akpan and teenager Amando Moreno.
Franco Panizo covers the New York Red Bulls for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached by e-mail at Franco8813@gmail.com.
