COLUMBUS, OH (March 26, 2011) – The short-handed New York Red Bulls earned a 0-0 draw Saturday against the Columbus Crew at a frigid Crew Stadium. New York (1-0-1) now has four points thus far in the just-underway MLS season.
The Red Bulls had a depleted side Saturday, missing six players due to international duty in addition to injured forward Thierry Henry (left hamstring strain) and goalkeeper Greg Sutton (concussion). As a result, New York was forced to make six moves in its Starting 11 from its 1-0 win over Seattle a week before.
Goalkeeper Alex Horwath, signed Friday by the Red Bulls, made his professional debut. He made a brilliant save in the 14th minute, rushing off his line to block a Robbie Rogers shot. Red Bulls defender Stephen Keel made his New York debut, playing 90 minutes, while forward Luke Rodgers managed to play 84 minutes in his first MLS match. Rodgers’ replacement, rookie Corey Hertzog, came on to make his professional debut.
New York returns home to battle Eastern Conference rival, the Houston Dynamo, at Red Bull Arena on April 2 at 7:30 PM
"I don't think I will make the game. Not great news," Henry told reporters at training on Thursday. "My body is not responding well. Maybe hopefully I will be back for the game against Houston [on April 2]."
The Red Bulls (1-0) will already be short-handed as they have five players unavailable due to international duty. They are Dane Richards (Jamaica); Rafael Marquez (Mexico); Bouna Coundoul (Senegal); Juan Agudelo, Tim Ream (USA). Agudelo scored New York's goal in a season-opening 1-0 victory over Seattle. In addition, defender Jan Gunner Solli is questionable with a hamstring strain.
"We’re good enough (to win the championship), but if you look at the schedule this year it’s a very tricky season," Backe said. "And if we are really unlucky, we can be without five to six players in 12 MLS games, and that’s a third of a season."
NOTE: With Coundoul potentially not available in goal for several games this season the Red Bulls today announced the signing of goalkeeper 23-year-old Alex Horwath. Horwath spent parts of last season with the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders.
