HARRISON, NJ (April 3, 2012) – New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry was named Major League Soccer’s Player of the Month for March today by the North American Soccer Reporters. Henry scored a league-leading five goals in the season-opening month while also providing three assists, the second-best mark in MLS.
Henry has either scored or assisted on eight of the Red Bulls’ 10 league-leading goals this season and earned consecutive MLS Player of the Week honors in Weeks 3 and 4 off back-to-back excellent performances. On March 31 against the Montreal Impact, Henry scored his first career hat trick and earned an assist in the Red Bulls’ 5-2 victory over the Montreal Impact. Henry scored in the 28th minute to even the match at one, and with the Red Bulls trailing by a goal late in the first half, Henry’s pass to Dax McCarty earned New York a penalty kick that was converted by Kenny Cooper. In the second half, Henry broke the deadlock with his second goal in the 56th minute and finished off his hat trick in the game’s closing minutes. Henry’s part in Mehdi Ballouchy’s 72nd goal made the highlight reel as well, as Henry flicked a Jan Gunnar Solli pass with his heel perfectly to Ballouchy, who one-timed it into the net.
The performance against the Impact followed Henry’s two-goal, one-assist effort in the Red Bulls’ home opener on March 25, a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids. Henry started the scoring in the 3rd minute and helped New York to a two-goal advantage, setting up Cooper later in the half. Henry scored again in the 53rd minute on a clinical finish that earned the league’s Goal of the Week award.
Last year, Henry led the club and finished third in MLS with 14 goals and was named to the MLS Best XI. Since joining the Red Bulls in July 2010, the former World Cup, European Cup and UEFA Champions League winner has played in 41 matches, starting them all, while scoring 21 goals and recording 10 assists overall. Henry’s hat trick against Montreal was the first time a New York player tallied three goals in a match in over five years.
This is Henry’s first Player of the Month Award. The MLS Player of the Month is selected by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com/.
