Red Bulls beat Sporting KC 2-1 to advance in MLS playoffs

  • Associated Press
  • Thursday, October 30, 2014 9:39pm
  • SportsSports

HARRISON, N.J. — Thierry Henry won’t be retiring — at least for two more games.

The 37-year-old Frenchman set up the first of Bradley Wright-Phillips’ two goals in the final 13 minutes and helped rally New York to a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City on Thursday night.

The result eliminated the defending MLS Cup champion from the playoffs and sent the Red Bulls to the conference semifinals.

New York will host D.C. United on Sunday in the first of a two-leg semifinal series. D.C. will host the second leg on Nov. 8.

Henry is in the final year of his contract with New York and, despite several media reports indicating he intends to retire, has not commented publicly about intentions.

He once again did not address the question, and Red Bulls coach Mike Petke grew exasperated when asked if he thought about the match being Henry’s last when New York trailed.

“Do I have to get it tattooed on my head? I have no clue what Thierry’s going to do,” Petke said. “I said it enough already. Thierry, I think, could play two more years.”

After Dom Dwyer finished a counter in the 53rd minute to put Kansas City ahead, Henry led New York’s rally, forcing Kansas City keeper Eric Kronberg to tip his header over the bar in the 55th minute and volleying a loose ball high in the 72nd.

Then in the 77th minute, he took a feed from Peguy Luyindula and sent a short ball into the middle of the penalty area. Wright-Phillips struck it first time, knocking it off the leg of defender Matt Besler and inside the far post.

With less than a minute to go, Wright-Phillips won the game, knocking in a header off a cross from Ambroise Oyongo.

The goals continued the impressive year for the Englishman, who led MLS with a record-tying 27 goals in the regular season.

Henry, arguably MLS’ biggest foreign-player acquisition behind David Beckham, came to MLS in the summer of 2010 with a resume that included World Cup and European Championship titles with France, league titles in France, Spain and England and a European Champions League trophy. He also was runner-up for FIFA’s Player of the Year twice.

Having been the beneficiary of Henry’s passes, Wright-Phillips would be the saddest to see the Frenchman end his career.

“If it was up to me, I’d keep him playing until when I retire,” Wright-Phillips said. “Obviously, he’s our man. It will be up to him at the end of the day.”

Despite being bothered by sore Achilles tendons in both legs, Henry gave no indication that his body was making him consider retirement more this year than any other.

“It’s the way it is. I’ve been in the game for 20 years and I rarely miss games,” he said. “It’s the same.”

The loss was the fourth straight for Kansas City, including a CONCACAF Champions League defeat, a slump coach Peter Vermes attributed to injuries and a crowded schedule that also included losing players to the World Cup.

“We just don’t have bodies,” Vermes said. “We’re just missing a lot of different guys in the group. We ran out of gas but it’s also a lot of guys have had to take on responsibility within games that normally they shouldn’t have to.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.