Whether home or away, New York's goals continue to flow.
When the final whistle blew at Crew Stadium Saturday afternoon, the New York Red Bulls' striking partnership of Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper went one and two, respectively, at the top of the MLS goalscoring charts. Henry's second brace of the season puts him at the top with seven, while Cooper's first-half brace, and second of the season, puts him a goal behind New York's captain.
Just three minutes into the match, after receiving a pass from Cooper, Henry floated a ball back that found his fellow forward's chest. With his back to goal, Cooper was given sufficient space to turn and place his left-footed shot past Columbus keeper Danny Gruenebaum. The goal was his fifth of the season and placed him in a tie with Henry.
Ten minutes later, Cooper did it again - this time with his head. The forward's second goal of the match was a sneaky one that developed after a beautiful exchange of play between Dax McCarty, Mehdi Ballouchy and Roy Miller on the left flank. Richards' shot deflected off the Columbus defense, finding a goal-hungry Cooper who rose to make enough connection on the ball for it to trickle into the side netting.
Cooper would be alone on top of the MLS goalscoring charts for just 27 minutes. In the 40th minute, Roy Miller slotted captain Henry through inside the 18. Henry opened his body, sliding the ball past a hopeless Gruenebaum to give New York a 3-0 lead before referee Mark Kadlecik whistled for half.
After Columbus had the majority of chances in the second half, they were rewarded with a consolation goal off a header from Chad Marshall. The Crew's celebration lasted only a few seconds. Henry responded with a vengeance by bringing a Joel Lindpere cross down to volley into the top-right corner, scoring his league-leading seventh goal of the season and sealing New York's 4-1 victory.
Henry and Cooper have firmly established themselves as the deadliest striking pair in the league. Together they have combined for 13 goals after five matches. At the time of the final whistle, that's more than any team has scored in the league. Enjoy both players' braces below!
