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N.Y. moves top of the East with win over TFC

Jul 7, 2011 - 3:04 AM Harrison, NJ (Sports Network) - Red Bull New York broke a recent string of ties, trouncing Toronto FC 5-0 Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena to claim its first win in Major League Soccer since June 10th.

The Red Bulls also moved to the top of the Eastern Conference with the win, sitting one point ahead of the Philadelphia Union, who have played two less games. New York has earned 28 points from 19 games, while Philadelphia has 27 points from 17 games.

Strikers Thierry Henry and Luke Rodgers rekindled their deadly partnership as both players got on the score sheet in the opening half. Joel Lindpere and Juan Agudelo topped off the resounding New York victory with tallies of their own in the second half.

After a very open start to the match with end to end action, Henry opened the scoring for New York in the 33rd minute. A cross from Jan Gunnar Solli squirted through traffic and fell to an open Henry, who took a touch and slid the ball past Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

Solli turned provider again just five minutes later as he was given the freedom to charge down the right flank and pick out Rodgers at the top of the box. Rodgers took a touch and ripped a volley into the far side of the goal to double New York's lead.

New York thought it had notched its third goal coming from a Lindpere free kick seconds before halftime, but referee Geoff Gamble pulled it back, whistling Rodgers for a foul on goalkeeper Frei.

Toronto striker Javier Martina was inches away from pulling a goal back for the Canadian side in the 51st minute. He collected a pass at the top of the box and in one fluent motion, turned and shot, only to see his attempt pushed onto the post by Red Bulls goalkeeper Greg Sutton. The former Toronto keeper immediately collected the ball to prevent any rebound.

New York then quickly countered in the 52nd minute to earn its third goal of the match. Sutton's distribution found midfielder Dane Richards on the right side. Using his speed, Richards carried the ball up the field and centered to Lindpere. The Estonian midfielder switched the ball onto his favored left foot and hit a shot that found the back of the net.

Juan Agudelo continued the rout for New York with two goals late on. In the 66th minute, the young American striker got on the end of a Lindpere corner, heading the ball across goal and sneaking it inside the post.

The last tally came in the 89th minute. A failed clearance from Toronto fell to Lindpere who sent the ball low across goal. An outstretched Agudelo poked the cross past Frei, who was left with little chance to make any kind of reaction save.

With the loss, Toronto continued its poor form away from BMO Field, still winless on the road in nine matches. The club will be anxiously awaiting its next MLS match when it hosts FC Dallas on July 20th.