Thierry Henry will apparently headline several missing players for the New York Red Bulls Saturday when they face the Columbus Crew Saturday at 4 p.m. in Columbus. Henry is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, and does not believe he will be able to play.
"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.
Red Bulls coach Hans Backe knows that there will be several games this season in which his team plays without all of its best weapons.
"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.