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Henry gets first MLS goal in Red Bulls' 2-0 win

Aug 29, 2010 - 3:00 AM HARRISON, N.J. (AP) -- Despite a shutout against San Jose, New York Red Bulls coach Hans Backe thinks his team can be better.

Thierry Henry scored his first MLS goal and Dane Richards had a goal and an assist to lead New York to a 2-0 victory over the Earthquakes on Saturday night.

Backe said it was "one of our better performances of the season," but he doesn't believe it is indicative of a team capable of winning the MLS Cup.

"I don't think we are good enough (to win the MLS Cup) to be honest," said Backe, whose team drew within four points of Columbus for first place in the Eastern Conference. "I'd like to see our team, even if they're under pressure, keep teams away from scoring chances.

"(San Jose) still created two very good chances in the last 15. I think teams that win championships have to kill the game, which we didn't."

Richards scored his first goal of the season in the final minute of the first half, and former Barcelona star Henry broke through after failing to score in his first five league matches in the second half, sending New York (11-7-4) to its third win in four games.

Richards dribbled past three San Jose defenders and made goalkeeper Jon Busch whiff just outside the box to send the Red Bulls into intermission with a 1-0 advantage.

"When I drove through, I just said, 'Ok, I'm in front of (the goalkeeper),' so I kept my composure," Richards said. "A goal is a goal; I'm not thinking that it was my first goal."

Henry didn't downplay his first goal, which came courtesy of Richards' cross in the 64th minute.

"It was amazing," Henry said.

Backe called Henry's goal "a confidence boost" for his team's Designated Player.

"For every striker it is important to score," said Backe, whose back line has yielded just four goals in its last six games. "Our game gets going with his movement, his passing game, and he opens up space for other players. But a striker needs to score for their confidence."

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for San Jose (8-7-5), which was outshot 10-2.