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Henry, Cooper lead New York over Colorado

Mar 25, 2012 - 10:19 PM Harrison, NJ (Sports Network) - Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper make a nice duo for Red Bull New York.

Henry scored twice and assisted on one of Cooper's two goals as New York ended a two-match slide to start the season with a 4-1 win over the Colorado Rapids on Sunday at Red Bull Arena.

New York had just two goals in its first two matches, but Henry scored inside 3 minutes, assisted on Kenny Cooper's second goal of the season with less than 6 minutes played, and added his second early in the second half.

Cooper capped the home-opening win with his third goal of the year in the 89th minute off an assist from Roy Miller.

The Red Bulls (1-2-0) lost their first two matches against FC Dallas, 2-1, and Real Salt Lake, 2-0. Colorado (2-1-0) opened the season with victories against the Columbus Crew, 2-0, and the Philadelphia Union, 2-1.

New York coach Hans Backe started Cooper for the first time this year, and the partnership with Henry produced all four goals.

With Rafael Marquez back from suspension to start in midfield and Wilman Conde making his first start to anchor the defense, Henry and Cooper tortured Rapids defenders.

Henry scored the opener off a mistake from Colorado's Ross LaBauex, who played the ball back into the Frenchman's path just outside the area. Henry drove the ball inside the area and slotted from the left back to the right post.

Just minutes later, Henry played Cooper into the area and the offseason signee slotted the ball from a difficult angle on the right past Colorado goalie Matt Pickens and just inside the left post.

New York rookie goalie Ryan Meara made a great save on Jaime Castrillon on the half-hour, saving a close-range header to send the Red Bulls into half with an important two-goal lead.

Henry added a third New York goal early after half when Conde sent a long free kick out of the back behind Colorado's defense. Henry raced into space and put his second goal past Pickens from the left side of the area in the 53rd.

Omar Cummings pulled one goal back off a Marquez turnover in the 77th for the Rapids, but Cooper turned Miller's cross over the line from close range in the 89th to seal New York's first win of the season and Colorado's first loss.

New York will try to build on the victory Saturday when it hosts the expansion Montreal Impact. Colorado will try to bounce back April 1 at home against the Chicago Fire.