Henry debuts, Henry scores, Metro loses
July 22, 2010
How will history remember Thierry Henry's debut? Will it remember it as a brilliant start to his New York career, for you couldn't have asked more from the new Metro star. He tore through the Tottenham defense as he did during his Arsenal days, created chances, and then finished one off to give Metro the lead. Or will history remember it as an example of his teammates' failings canceling out Henry's brilliance?
Henry immediately made his presence felt seven minutes in, breaking through into the Spurs' box and barely missing. Soon after, Dane Richards waltzed into the penalty area, and sent a cross to Seth Stammler on the goalmouth, which the long-term Metro somehow muffed, and Mac Kandji's follow-up was smothered.
Metro broke through in the 26th minute. After some excellent work by Joel Lindpere on the left, the Estonian sent in a ball into the box, which Henry just got enough foot on to place it into the far corner of the net. And just like that... pandemonium. Henry is here. Henry has scored. Viva Henry!
Just before the half, Tim Ream kept the game scoreless by heading a ball that looked destined to go to the empty net. Henry left at the break; so did Bouna Coundoul. Greg Sutton entered, and Metro paid for it.
Now, we're not gonna hark at this game. It's just a pointless friendly; the important thing is that Henry played well and nobody got hurt. But the way Metro lost the match was somewhat disheartening: on two stupid mistakes. First, in the 63rd minute, Sutton came out on a corner kick, flubbed in the air, but missed the ball that was tipped onto Robbie Keane, who did not miss. Then, nine minutes later, Sutton was startled by a ball headed back by Jeremy Hall. The Spurs' Gareth Bale beat the behemoth keeper to the ball, sending it into the net.
Metro had a couple of good chances to equalize, as sub Conor Chinn almost got on a back-header himself. But his first touch failed him, resulting in a corner. Then, a glancing header torched the crossbar, and Chinn found himself all alone on goal... with his back turned to the net. It didn't end well.
It ended 2:1 Spurs, but history will remember that as irrelevant. At least we hope so.
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