If breaking out last Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes was a good start for the New York Red Bulls, then this performance against DC United definitely tops it. What a brilliant performance from this group that came down to Washington DC and drummed a four goal destruction against DC United. The main player that was the provider in all of this was the Norweigan defender-midfielder Jan Gunnar Solli who set up three of the four in the nationally televised match.

Twelfth minute struck on the match clock and Solli brought the ball up along the near side. When he got close to the end line, a good cross along the DC area found a wide open Thierry Henry who camped underneath the ball and headed it in. That goal equaled his total from last year when he arrived during the summer transfer window.

The second goal for Henry came in the 38th minute as Dane Richards gave Solli the ball and attacked the area again. A low cross that was meant for Luke Rodgers was tapped away, but Henry pounced on the ball and slammed it home for his brace. Two goals in the first half and three for the season so far as Henry has finally found his scoring touch again. But the next goal for New York was nice as Henry became the provider.

In the 76th minute Henry on the near side sprung the Estonian Joel Lindpere into an attacking run and looked determined to convert. He cut the defender and ripped a hard shot past Bill Hamid for the third of the match and then the miracle of Juan Agudelo once again shone through. Well into second half stoppage time Dwayne De Rosario slipped a good ball to Solli who crossed it. The pass was well behind Agudelo, but somehow he reached back for it and whipped it hard into the net for his second of the season.

DC United did not look solid at all ’til late in the second half. Their shape was horrible. They looked un-inspired and lost. The only player looking good was keeper Bill Hamid who tried all he could to make sure it wasn’t a ten goal win for the Red Bulls. He was able to come off his line many times to thwart the big runs from the middle of the park. Branko Boskovic subbing into the start of the second half was able to blast two screamers that nailed the crossbar and the post. But if it wasn’t the woodwork. It was Bouna Coundoul providing some solid punching saves.

For the first time at RFK Stadium the Red Bulls have won back-to-back matches in consecutive seasons. Last year it was a two goal clean sheet. This year it was a four goal destruction. Thierry Henry has awoken from his early season slumber, and Solli has added his attacking prowess from the backline as a right full back. For Juan Agudelo as a second half substitute all I can say is that goal should be the Goal of the Week.