New York City...The Tri-State Area...An area so rich in sports history and tradition that it manages to hold 2 Major League Baseball teams (NYY, NYM), 2 National Football League teams (NYG, NYJ), 2 Basketball teams (NYK, NJN), and 3 Hockey teams (NYR, NYI, NJD).
Well don't look now, but there's a 10th area team making some noise! Yes, that's right the NEW YORK RED BULLS of Major League Soccer have thrust themselves into the spotlight. By signing perhaps the best, most successful soccer player of this generation, Thierry Henry, to a 4 1/2 year contract, the Red Bull Organization has EXCLAIMED that they are for real, and they are here to stay. And, according to everyone in charge, this is not all; this is just the beginning.
Everyone made great hype about David Beckham signing with the LA Galaxy, and with good reason. He is clearly the most recognizable Footballer in the world. But, as far as talent and accomplishment, Beckham doesn't come close to Thierry Henry.
Henry made his professional debut in 1994 with Monaco of the French First Division. During the 1996-97 season, he was named the French Young Footballer of the Year, and helped Monaco capture the French Ligue 1 title. In 1997-98, he set a French record by scoring seven goals in the UEFA Champions’ League, leading his team to the semi-finals.
In 1998, he was a member of the French World Cup winning team, where he lead the team in scoring with 3 goals. To date, Henry appeared in 118 games for France, including 4 World Cups (‘98, ‘02, ‘06, ‘10), and has scored 51 goals…the most in French National team history.
He played for English Premier League club Arsenal from 1999-2007. During his time at the London club, he appeared in 369 games, while scoring 226 goals and assisting on 92 others. He remains Arsenal’s All-time Leading Goal Scorer. He led the club to 2 league titles (2001-02, 2003-04), and 3 FA Cup titles (2002, 2003, 2005) during his stay in North London.
In 2007, he joined Spanish powerhouse Barcelona. During the 2008-09 season, Henry scored an amazing 26 goals in 42 games, while assisting 12 times, and along with teammates, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o, formed an attacking trio which combined to score 100 goals for the club that season. He was an instrumental part of Barcelona becoming the first (and only) team in history to win a sextuple. The sextuple consists of titles in La Liga (2008-09), Copa del Rey (2008-09), and Supercopa de España (2009), also known as the Treble; in addition to winning the UEFA Champions League (2008-09), UEFA Super Cup (2009), and the FIFA Club World Cup (2009).
Henry now joins a team currently in 2nd place behind Eastern Conference leading Columbus. He could however find himself on a 1st place team by the time he suits-up, if the Red Bulls are able to beat the division leaders on Saturday in Columbus. Trailing the Crew by only 2 points, a win would propel them into first place in the Eastern Conference before Thierry Henry even plays a game.
And, the latest word is that a 3rd Designated Player will be added in the next 2 weeks…the leading rumor being that Henry’s Barcelona teammate, (and Mexican National Team Player) Rafael (Rafa) Marquez will be that signing. Also, a member of the sextuple winning team.
Regardless of the next signing, it’s very clear that these are not your daddy’s Red Bulls!
Go NY RED BULLS in 2010 and Beyond!!!
Vive Les Taureaux Rouge!
Peace
G
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