Jonny Steele said he was delighted to have contributed to a big New York Red Bull victory over New England Revolution on the weekend.
The Irish midfielder had a hand in Dax McCarty's fourth-minute opener, supplied Thierry Henry for his 82nd minute finish and scored the Red Bulls' fourth goal with a simple tap-in at the end as the Red Bulls won 4-1 at Red Bull Arena.
Steele had been dropped for the midweek loss to Sporting Kansas City but responded well by putting in a brilliant performance as New York moved up to fourth on the Eastern Conference table.
"He (head coach Mike Petke) said he was just going to change the dynamics of the team and I can respect his decision. He's the manager, he makes the calls. I was disappointed, but I came in and worked hard and he rewarded me with being back in the team," said Steele. "I thanked God tonight I showed him.
"I just think if you respond I don't think you got to look for a response on what he was going to play. It's his decisions to make is not mine, what more can I say. He took a say and I respect him for taking a say and being a man to me and telling me why I wasn't on the team. He then took me aside and tells me I'm going to be on the team."
Steele's teammate Henry was also buoyed by the showing of the former Wolves youth.
"He had a brilliant game. The only thing missing (before) was he was very composed on the final third of the field. He should've had more assists in the beginning of the season, but guys didn't score on some of his passes. But he had a great game,'' said Henry.
"He understands the game. He gave me the ball at the right time. It's great to have a guy like that on the team."
