The New York Red Bulls finally found their missing scoring touch Saturday night. After scoring just two goals in their first four games, the Red Bulls bested that total in a 3-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes at Red Bull Arena.
Two goals from Luke Rodgers and Thierry Henry’s first tally of the season paced the New York Red Bulls. Henry had been questionable with an Achilles Tendon injury, but felt well enough to play.
Rodgers put New York ahead after just two minutes when a corner kick was flicked into his path by Dane Richards and he headed the ball home from close range.
Henry set up the second goal by taking the ball from a San Jose defender and feeding it across the face of the goal to Rodgers, who easily put the ball home.
Henry was dangerous throughout the match, coming close in the 52nd minute. Rodgers played Henry through on goal, where the Frenchman took a touch around Busch but couldn’t keep his left-footed chance on frame. Later, Henry forced Busch to make an acrobatic save in the 76th minute when the net-minder parried Henry’s 25-yard effort.
Henry finally found the back of the net in the 87th minute on a beautiful feed from Rodgers. On a counter-attack, Rodgers pulled up from outside of the box and sent a cross into the path of Henry, who dove forward and nodded the ball into the far side netting. It was Henry’s third career MLS goal, and Rodgers’ first MLS assist.
The Red Bulls (2-1-2) outshot the Earthquakes (1-1-2), 19-6. New York goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul needed to make only three saves.
The Red Bulls travel to D.C. United for a midweek clash on Thursday at RFK Stadium at 8 p.m. (TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes).