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If Thierry Henry’s about to say goodbye to Major League Soccer, he’s doing so on a high note. His stint is one that caps one of the most productive four-and-a-half year stretches in league history. True, extending his deal at Red Bull Arena could still happen, but there’s a growing and now very public feeling the 37-year-old, out of contract at the end of the year, will use this fall has his sunset. With 48 goals, 39 assists in 113 MLS games thus far, one of the league’s biggest stars may ride off into that impending night.
On Saturday in Harrison, N.J., the four-time All-Star gave Red Bulls fans a brilliant, almost wistful reminder of what they will miss, a process that didn’t start until after the wayward Impact took a first half lead. Then, the captain responded. A layout header in the 59th. A topspin bouncer in the 67th. A perfectly weighted through ball for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/08/25/bradley-wright-philips-and-thierry-henry-star-for-new-york-red-bulls/">Bradley Wright-Phillips</a> in the 74th. With a stern reaction that spoke to his intent, Henry, evermore the worn solider harnessing his moments of brilliance, left no doubt.&nbsp;I took this game over. I won it for us. I can still be elite.
The outburst gives Henry seven goals and 11 assists this year. Maintain his current rates through game 34 and Henry could end up with 10 and 16, the latter a career high.&nbsp; Most years, that puts you in the MVP conversation. This year, given how important he’s been to New York – propping Wright-Phillips up as the league’s top scorer – Henry’s numbers might put him among the favorites.
It would have been unreasonable for New York to expect more from a man who was supposed to be their David Beckham, though in that light, Henry’s time in New York can also be seen as a missed opportunity. Though Beckham’s run in Los Angeles vaulted the Galaxy franchise&nbsp;<a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2013/11/20/major-league-soccers-most-valuable-teams/">toward a $170 million value</a>, Henry’s impact off the field has been less pronounced. Whereas once Red Bull looked prime to use their new star to finally make a dent in the New York market, four more years on the fringe of the city’s sport scene have cemented their place. With New York City FC set to being play next season, the Red Bulls seemed destined to become the Devils to NYC FC’s more glamorous Rangers.
It’s worth noting that according to Forbes, New York’s franchise value is $114 million, below that of Houston ($125m) and Toronto ($121m), seemingly destined to be usurped by Sporting KC ($108).&nbsp;
Consider the team’s impending change in philosophy – a long-time murmur that became more of a reality after&nbsp;<a href="http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/1994982/red-bulls-not-for-sale-but-change-philosophy">Doug McIntyre’s recent reporting</a>. The Galaxy aren’t the example, Red Bull executive imply. Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City are. Given MLS’s structure, it doesn’t make sense to load up a roster with multiple players like Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez and Tim Cahill. If other teams are doing it Oakland A’s style, New York can, too.
For some, the timing looks a little too convenient; almost an abdication, given NYC FC’s impending arrival. But the approach also casts light on the duality of the Henry era. On the field, the team has won its first major trophy, last year’s Supporters’ Shield, and was a consistent, if often muted, presence in the East’s playoffs – a testament to Henry’s production. Off the field, the initial boost in brand recognition that accompanied Henry’s arrival and, months earlier, Red Bull Arena’s debut waned. If Henry departs this offseason, he’ll leave behind an organization that looks largely similar in size, prestige, and influence to the franchise he joined four years ago.
With empty seats often dotting the upper levels of Red Bull Arena, the state of the franchise puts Henry’s MLS tenure in perspective. His production on the field is beyond reproach, but the club hasn’t evolved, and while it’s too much to ask that any player carry the same weight as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/07/05/5-reasons-why-david-beckham-should-select-broward-for-his-mls-team-location/">David Beckham</a>, Henry was supposed to have a fraction of that influence. Yet more reserved – witty and sardonic, instead of polished and engaging – Henry’s failed to have that effect, and with the Red Bulls considering a change of course, the Arsenal icon’s time in Harrison is in danger of being reduced to what’s happened on the field.
It was unfair to expect more, but that may be Red Bull’s point. When a player comes with Henry’s hype and compensation, he’s expected to become part of the league’s larger brand. But how many people — how many personalities — are really capable of that kind of transcendence? How many players are able to keep your team in the mind of both the sports and front page editors? To this point in MLS history, there’s only been one.
Henry has given us enough memories on the field, he doesn’t have to justify his contributions off of it, but his time in MLS does provide a couple of lessons. Not only should we treasure the greats the league puts on the field, but we shouldn’t expect them to perform miracles off it.

Thierry Henry’s Impact On The Field Can’t Perform Miracles Off It

Thierry Henry's Impact On The Field Can't Perform Miracles Off It  - World Soccer Talk

When you have seen a world class striker perform many times, either on television or in-person, you think you have seen that player do everything. &nbsp;Then they score an amazing highlight reel goal that makes you scratch your head and you remember their greatness. &nbsp;Thierry Henry is that player.
In the mid-week early afternoon game against the Chicago Fire on July 18th it was the kiss off the inside of the near post and in after a Sebastien LeToux cross that he settled off his chest. This time it would be inside second half stoppage time that got the 17,000 plus standing in amazement.
To be honest, it’s a little hard to describe it but it was a brilliant goal. In Latin American soccer it is referred to as <a href="http://www.wsc.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=2569&amp;Itemid=29" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gol Olimpico&nbsp;as an homage to the first time such a goal was scored</a>. &nbsp;Red Bulls earned a corner and the ball was placed at the far side. Matt Lampson – who had come in for an injured Andy Gruenebaum – was cheating off his line and Henry saw it. It was a hard turn and shot that floated towards the inside of the near post and softly banks it inside the net.
This is one of those amazing games when you can’t believe what you have just seen from a man who is never afraid to try anything and pulls off another miracle goal that finds a way to go in. And such creativity was needed as the Red Bulls went down early from a goal in the third minute from Milovan Mirosevic. &nbsp;Rafa Marquez, making his return from the calf injury, sent a long ball from a few yards off the midfield stripe towards Henry in the ninth minute. &nbsp;Henry stayed onside as he settled the ball and quickly scored past Andy Gruenebaum to level the score.
All match long both sides were trading blows and you had a feeling the next goal was going to come from someone during a set piece. The Red Bulls earned a corner at the near side of the field in the 79th&nbsp;minute and the home team’s captain delivered a solid cross to the Columbus area.
Dax McCarty got into a good position within the scrum and found a way to head the ball softly inside the far post and high enough to avoid Gruenebaum’s gloves to get the go-ahead goal. The Red Bulls would take the full three points once again, but there was some concern for the starting Crew keeper.
Just as Grunenbaum made a dive and stretching attempt for the save, sadly he hits his head inside the far post and was down for a good while. On the monitor Gruenebaum looked to have been cut along the left side of his face near his forehead and was subbed out by backup keeper Lampson in the 85th&nbsp;minute. Thankfully for Gruenebaum he was able to walk off with some help from the medical trainer.
What we saw was a well fought match as both sides gave their all on the field. For the Red Bulls they are now two points behind the Eastern Conference top dogs in Sporting Kansas City, who conveniently will make their appearance this Wednesday night at Red Bull arena.

Henry’s Magical Goal Takes Down the Crew

Henry's Magical Goal Takes Down the Crew - World Soccer Talk

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Thierry Henry’s Impact On The Field Can’t Perform Miracles Off It

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Henry’s Magical Goal Takes Down the Crew