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Helps down Manchester City, 2-1, in second game

BY KYLE FRANKO

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

HARRISON — After Thierry Henry made his debut Thursday night, Red Bulls manager Hans Backe talked about how one player can't win games for a team.

Then again, if that player is Henry, Backe might just have to change his mind especially after watching his team defeat Manchester City 2-1 Sunday afternoon.

"I'm rather sure of that," Backe said when asked if he thought Henry made other players better.

The 32-year-old Frenchman's superb technical skill were on display again for the 23,328 in attendance at Red Bull Arena. Sure Henry didn't electrify the crowd with a goal like he did against Tottenham, but its already clear he makes his teammates better.

And that's after only a week of training.

"We're friends and we talked about what it would be like to play together," said forward Macoumba Kandji who is perhaps the player that will benefit the most from Henry's time in New York.

Kandji opened the scoring after seven minutes when he connected on a cross from Dane Richards and then set up Richards' winner after he out muscled City's Joleon Lescott.

"You can see the way I'm playing that he helps me," Kandji said. "I talk to him at practice and try to watch him at practice and I learn a lot from him."

Henry was also quick to acknowledge Kandji's play, praising the Senegalese international.

"It's easy to play with him," Henry said. "He's tall and he can hold the ball well. He's a great guy and I've seen him play before and now you can see how Juan Pablo (Angel) and myself have helped him. I just think he can be very good for us."

Now that New York's two mid season friendlies are out of the way, it's time for Henry to turn his attention toward getting fit for his MLS debut July 31 against Houston.

Henry said he thinks it will take 10-15 days to get to full fitness and admitted that he felt a little heavy Sunday.

But he's still looking forward to that first real competitive match as a member of the Red Bulls.

"My personal feeling is that I'm trying to get back into shape," Henry said. "Being out there with my movements, I know I can help but right now I'm not close (to full fitness). That's the one thing I want to do first and maybe I'm not ready for the Houston game but Juan Pablo and Mac can step up, but I want to arrive (at fitness) before the Houston game."

While Henry works his way back to fitness, surely, the rest of the league has taken notice. After all, it's hard not to notice a guy like Henry, fit or not.

"He's been training heavy," Backe said. "I think the way he moves will open up a lot of space for other players. Normally you can see he never loses the ball, he's so strong, and that means our attacking buildup will be very solid and when he turns the right way, it's very difficult to catch him."

You can bet that once Henry reaches full fitness, the rest of MLS may not catch the Red Bulls.

Spurs happy with US tour.

Tottenham Hotspur finished its American tour with a 2-2 draw against Sporting Clube de Portugal.

"We really enjoyed the tournament," said Tottenham manager Redknapp who admitted that he had a small squad because most players are on post-World Cup vacation. "I love coming to America and watching soccer continue to grow."

Tottenham flew back to England Sunday night and will begin preparations for the upcoming English season in which the north London team will make its champions league debut.