Henry on target in Red Bulls victory
Reuters - Monday 18 April 2011, 06:32
MIAMI - Thierry Henry was on target for
the New York Red Bulls while new boys the Portland Timbers
earned an impressive second consecutive home win in Major League
Soccer action at the weekend.
It was an Anglo-French production for the Red Bulls with
English forward Luke Rodgers scoring his first MLS goal with a
close-range header and then former Arsenal striker Henry setting
up ex-Notts County forward Rodgers for his second against San
Jose.
Rodgers returned the favour three minutes from the end when
he floated over a perfectly weighted cross for Henry to head
home at the back post, the Frenchman's first goal of the MLS
season.
The Timbers, playing in front of a capacity 19,000 crowd
again, followed up their home debut win over Chicago with
another impressive display - Jack Jewsbury, Kenny Cooper and
Rodney Wallace putting Portland 3-0 up against Dallas inside 55
minutes.
But as in the midweek 4-2 win over Chicago, the Timbers,
managed by Scotsman John Spencer, allowed their opponents back
into the game.
Goals from Colombian David Ferreira (83) and Brek Shea (86)
gave the Texans a chance and it took a superb save from Timbers
goalkeeper Jake Gleeson at the end to deny Ferreira an equaliser
and it finished 3-2.
The L.A. Galaxy, without the suspended David Beckham and
injured Landon Donovan, fought out a 2-1 win at the Chicago Fire
with Chad Barrett and Omar Gonzalez on target for Bruce Arena's
team before Dominic Oduro's 89th minute goal for the home side.
The Philadelphia Union's tight defence has been central to
their impressive start to the season and they were set for
another 1-0 win, at home to Seattle, following Guatemalan
forward Carlos Ruiz's free-kick to open the scoring in the 32nd
minute.
But the Sounders grabbed an injury-time equaliser with a
header from Uruguayan Alvaro Fernandez, cutting the Union's lead
over the Red Bulls at the top of the Eastern Conference to just
two points.
Toronto's disappointing start to the season under new Dutch
coach Aron Winter continued as they slumped to a 3-0 loss at
home to D.C. United, U.S. international Charlie Davies scoring
his fifth goal in six games and Chris Pontius on target twice.
Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake were not in action
this weekend as they prepare for Wednesday's CONCACAF Champions
League final, first-leg game, away to Mexican champions
Monterrey.