• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Henry's splendid strike lifts New York past Chicago

Jul 18, 2012 - 7:04 PM Harrison, NJ (Sports Network) - It took nearly three months, but Thierry Henry once again found the net for Red Bull New York, lifting his side to a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire at a steamy Red Bull Arena on Wednesday.

The high temperatures forced a slower pace that saw New York create the better of the chances and finally go in front in the 71st minute with a moment of magic from the Frenchman.

Sebastien Le Toux chipped a ball from midfield that found the chest of Henry, who brought it down and fired an unstoppable shot from a tight angle off the far post and into the net.

It was Henry's first goal since April 28 and it came at a good time, handing the Red Bulls just their second win in the past eight games and moving the club four points clear of the Fire and into second place in the Eastern Conference.

The first real chance of the match arrived after 21 minutes when Mehdi Ballouchy danced past a defender and had his shot saved at the near post by goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

Le Toux then had an opportunity before the break to put his side ahead but his lobbed effort from inside the penalty area sailed over the crossbar.

Chicago continued to struggle in the offensive third and Henry finally broke the deadlock with his individual brilliance to put more pressure on the visitors.

Down a goal, the Fire played with a greater sense of urgency and Gonzalo Segares had Chicago's best chance of the match in the 84th minute when his goal-bound volley was cleared off the line by New York defender Brandon Barklage to preserve the win.