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Red Bulls-Dynamo Preview

Jul 30, 2010 - 9:17 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

New York (8-6-2) at Houston (5-8-4), 8:30 p.m. EDT

It hasn't taken long for Thierry Henry to make his mark for the New York Red Bulls. Now, he'll get a chance to do it in MLS, but in a limited capacity.

The superstar forward will try to help the Red Bulls to their first league win of the month when they visit the stumbling Houston Dynamo on Saturday night.

Henry joined the Red Bulls (8-6-2) from Barcelona earlier this month, as the club attempts to close an eight-point gap on Eastern Conference-leading Columbus.

New York lost 2-0 to the Crew in its most recent league game July 17, falling to 0-1-2 this month.

Getting Henry also gives the Red Bulls perhaps the most potent goal-scoring combination in MLS history with Juan Pablo Angel, the club's all-time leader with 54 goals in 88 games.

"I will say that he's arguably one of the best players in our generation, his pedigree is second to none," said Angel, who is second in the league with nine goals. "I would probably say that he could be the best player on the field this league has ever had."

A member of France's 1998 world championship and 2000 European champion teams, Henry didn't need much time to settle in with his new club, finding the net 25 minutes into his debut in a 2-1 loss to Tottenham of England's Premier League in a friendly July 22. Three days later he played the first half of New York's surprising 2-1 win over Manchester City.

Henry also announced his retirement from the national team after scoring a club-record 51 goals in 123 games.

"I always want to be here 100 percent and fully committed to this cause and the organization," said Henry, who saw his France career end while being used sparingly during a disappointing first-round exit at the World Cup last month.

New York created a roster spot for Henry on Friday by waiving veteran forward John Wolyniec

Due to limited playing time, fitness has become an issue for Henry, but he's slated to start in Houston (5-8-4) while Angel is questionable with an ankle sprain.

"If we're lucky, perhaps 60 minutes," coach Hans Backe told the team's official website of Henry's playing time.

Angel scored in the final minute of a 2-1 win over Houston on June 2. That defeat at New York is part of the Dynamo's seven-game winless streak (0-4-3).

The run showed few signs of stopping last Saturday, as they were routed 3-0 at Columbus while getting shutout for the second consecutive time.

Houston hasn't won in league play since beating DC United 2-0 on May 29, and the club is well aware of the threat posed by Henry and Angel.

"It's going to be fun, but it's certainly going to be nerve-wracking," defender Eddie Robinson told the club's official website. "Those guys are not out of their prime by any means. You can put that pair in the EPL now, and the two center backs would know they have a game on their hands."

Houston also has to overcome the absence of defender Bobby Boswell, who is suspended after being issued a red card against the Crew.