With first place in the Eastern Conference on the line, and a slumping Sporting Kansas City team visiting Red Bull Arena, the fruit was ripe for the picking Saturday afternoon.
The Red Bulls made it count, thanks to an early Luke Rodgers strike for the game’s first (and only) goal. Since replacing Juan Agudelo in the starting lineup, Rodgers has scored three goals in as many matches; and has been brilliant for New York thus far.
Rafa Márquez had a chance to make it a 1-0 game in the 13th minute, when he lined up for a penalty kick, thanks to some fantastic work by Thierry Henry to terrorize the SKC defense. But the Mexican’s attempt was saved, and the game remained scoreless early.
Despite not scoring a goal Henry was all over the pitch tonight. The French striker had a secondary assist (his third helper of the year) on the Rodgers goal, and he wreaked havoc on Kansas City’s back end all night.
Dwayne De Rosario, who is still trying to find his game at New York, had the primary assist on the Rodgers goal. De Rosario was the one who drew the first half penalty kick chance, and overall looked much more comfortable in his role with the team.
The Red Bulls will next play May 7th, when they take on the Los Angeles Galaxy on the road.