#TBTH14 is a day to retell the legend, Thierry Henry.
Thierry Henry is the all-time club leader in game-winning goals (14) and game-winning assists (11). He is second in club history in goals (51) and is the all-time leader in assists (42). The Frenchman earned three MLS Best XI honors and was a four-time MLS All-Star. In 2013, he helped guide the Red Bulls to their first piece of silverware, the MLS Supporters’ Shield. He logged more than 10,000 minutes played and appeared in 122 games, including 118 starts.
As the Red Bulls’ 2016 Home Opener versus Toronto FC approaches, we look back on Henry’s five-point performance (one goal, three assists) in 2012 against TFC.
Sept. 29, 2012 - Henry Runs Rampant versus Toronto
Heading into the final stretch of the 2012 season, the Red Bulls were hoping to move up in the standings before the postseason. With three points at home against Toronto FC, New York could lift themselves into second place.
New York did not start well and Ryan Johnson quickly put the visitors ahead. Johnson, in space from more than 30-yards out, let loose a rocket which soared into the top left corner of the net to put Toronto ahead.
But minutes later, Henry took charge of the match.
Before the break, Henry created the eventual game-winner.
After flicking the ball out wide to Lloyd Sam, the Frenchman made a run towards goal. Sam returned the ball to Henry with a leading pass and as he entered the penalty box, the defense converged. With Toronto’s back line and goalkeeper solely focused on him, Henry cleverly cut back a pass to the wide-open Kenny Cooper, who scored on an open net.
In the closing minutes of the second half, the Red Bulls’ captain put the game away with his third assist.
As New York entered the final third, Henry played the ball wide to Jan Gunnar Solli on the right side. Solli played the ball back to Henry, who took two touches before stepping towards goal. As he stepped forward, four defenders and the goalkeeper converged, but the captain fooled his opponents and passed to the back post where Cooper finished for New York’s third goal of the match.
In stoppage time, Henry completed his performance with one of the best MLS goals of 2012.
Holgersson forced a turnover near the sideline, which Brandon Barklage quickly passed off to Cooper. The forward spotted Henry making a run down the left side of the field and delivered a through ball into space. Henry struck the ball in stride and the 25-yard shot soared over the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net to finish the match, 4-1.
Henry’s five-point game versus Toronto marked the fifth of seven total in his MLS career. His unforgettable showing against Toronto was one of the finest of his MLS career and is our #TBTH14 moment to remember.
