#TBTH14 is a day to retell the legend.
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, appeared in 122 games and started in 118.
This is the first of 14 moments for the former captain.
May 7th, 2011 - Henry Stars in Hollywood Premiere
In Thierry Henry’s first full season in MLS, the Frenchman entered the spotlight of the American soccer stage in his first career match at the Los Angeles Galaxy.
At this point in the season, Henry was heating up. He scored three goals and as many assists in his last three games leading up to L.A., and was beginning to make his mark on the league. Now, in primetime on ESPN against David Beckham, Landon Donovan and ex-Red Bull Juan Pablo Angel, he was about to make his presence felt on a national stage.
Once the match kicked-off there was a quick pace about it. There were rushed and at times errant passes from both teams, but given the excitement and big-game atmosphere about the match, it was understandable.
In the 4th minute, New York goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul drove a goal kick downfield. After a pair of headers from each team, the ball settled on the foot of midfielder Dane Richards.
As Richards took his first touch, he located Henry who was making a run up the middle of the pitch. With the raise of a hand, Henry called for the ball. Richards immediately lowered his head and delivered a perfect through ball into the penalty area.
Henry blew by his man, located the charging Donovan Ricketts, side-stepped him and buried his chance on the run.
Once the goal was scored, the Red Bulls legend settled into the game. After connecting on a long cross and a few successful flick-on passes, Henry noticeably began to earn the respect of the LA defense; especially after a cheeky nutmeg of U.S. international defender Omar Gonzalez.
Unfortunately for Gonzalez, this would not be the only highlight reel in which he would feature. In the 31st minute, Henry displayed his World-Class ball control in one of the best moments of the 2011 season.
Joel Lindpere received a pass from Dwayne De Rosario by the sideline and spotted an unmarked Henry at midfield. Upon receiving the pass, Henry tapped the ball up to himself and began running down the sideline while juggling the ball. As Omar Gonzalez approached Henry, even he couldn’t close down the juggler.
After eight touches without the ball touching the ground once, Henry tapped the ball into the chest of Gonzalez who kicked the ball out of bounds in defeat.
Henry, however, still had one more trick up his sleeve. It was now late in the game, the 82nd minute. By this time, Henry had the Los Angeles defense on their heels. After a goal, a nutmeg and an incredible juggling exhibition, the Galaxy defenders contained him with caution, hesitant to get too close. Except for Galaxy defender Sean Franklin.
After a Dane Richards shot careened off the post and out of the penalty box, Henry beat Franklin to the ball, re-gaining possession for the Red Bulls.
Franklin decided to put a body on Henry, who had his back to the defender. After strolling back on the sideline, he stopped the ball as if to assess his next move. Calmly, he gravitated down the sideline with Franklin close behind. He stutter-stepped for a moment and continued moving backward. It was only a setup for his final move.
With Franklin still close behind, Henry, like a magician, brilliantly faked a backheel pass and Franklin took the bait, tracking back a good 5-yards after an invisible ball. Henry, now completely unmarked, passed off the ball to a teammate as if nothing had happened.
The match would end in a 1-1 draw. The goal would give Henry six goals and as many assists through 18 games, all of which were starts.
For Thierry Henry it was just another day at the office, but his incredible performance vs. LA Galaxy is our first #TBTH14 moment to remember.
