Henry scores as NYRB set up glamour semi-final with LA Galaxy

Thierry Henry has bounced back from suspension to help guide New York Red Bulls into the 2011 MLS Conference semi-finals with a 2-0 away win in the wildcard play-in over FC Dallas on Wednesday night.

The Frenchman missed the final regular season match after being red-carded against Sporting Kansas City on October 15 but returned to the starting line-up to score a late goal which helped the Red Bulls set up a enormous encounter with Supporters’ Shield winners LA Galaxy.

New York opened the scoring just after the hour-mark at a cold Pizza Hut Park when Joel Lindpere slid home Mehdi Ballouchy’s clever left-footed pass before the visitors were reduced to ten men when Jan Gunnar Solli produced a reckless challenge on Dallas’ Daniel Hernandez in the 79th minute.

The sending off could have completely changed the outcome of the game but New York held strong and managed to clinch a winner deep into injury time when Henry sealed the deal with acres of space as Dallas pushed everyone forward and the ex-Arsenal and Barcelona star finished off the Texans to secure a two-legged meeting with former Premier League counterparts David Beckham and Robbie Keane which kicks off at the Red Bull Arena on October 30.

The other wildcard play-in takes place tonight and sees reigning MLS Cup winners Colorado Rapids host Columbus Crew for the chance to take on Sporting Kansas City on the weekend.

 
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