After a protracted pursuit that took years, Thierry Henry finally makes his Red Bulls debut tomorrow vs. Tottenham (8:30 p.m., FSC). And while he’s one of the world’s biggest stars and will lift the sports’ profile stateside, he vows he’s here to lift cups for his team _ starting with this Barclays New York Challenge.
The tourney also includes Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City, whom manager Roberto Mancini admits are still pursuing Landon Donovan. The L.A. standout has been the face of MLS, a responsibility he’s shared lately with teammate David Beckham and now Henry. The difference is, Henry _ like Donovan _ will boost the game with his play on the pitch, not his work on the red carpet.
“Obviously it’s going to be a special one for me. What a script to come here and have my first game against Tottenham,” Henry said. “Playing Tottehnam is always a special thing for a guy who played for Arsenal, but I’m not going to talk about what I’ve done with Arsenal; we’re here to have a great game of football.”
When asked about his goals off the pitch in MLS, Henry bristled.
“Nothing. You want to achieve stuff on the pitch; what comes with it obviously will come,” Henry said. “I want to come here and try to win and compete with my team and win a title. That’s the only way you can make this game progress.”
Henry _ who left Barcelona to sign a 4 ½-year deal _ will play just 30-45 minutes tomorrow, and no more than 45 Sunday vs. Manchester City. Striker partner Juan Pablo Angel (ankle) will sit out tonight, and log at best a half Sunday, with coach Hans Backe hoping both will be fit for Wednesday’s league tilt at Houston.
“He’s correct; you have to show it on the pitch. As good a player as he is will help; his reputation can make a good figure. (But) it’s the right answer; win games, try to help the team win titles,” Backe said. “He’s still a very competitive player, so that’s the priority for him, play football and win games for Red Bull.”
Sporting faces Manchester City Friday at 8:30 p.m. and Tottenham Sunday at 1 p.m, with the Red Bulls following vs. City at 3:30 p.m. with the games broadcast to 70 countries.
Despite MLS commissioner Don Garber vowing not to sell Donovan, Mancini claims his club is still in the hunt, saying “It is possible. The market is open until the end of August, but it could be possible because Donovan is a good player.”
Donovan would be one of the few high-profile departures from MLS this summer, with the league adding several big-name stars like Chicago’s Nery Castillo. His Mexican National Team captain, Rafa Marquez, reportedly agreed to terms with Red Bull according to sport.es; but the El Tri standout must secure his release from Barcelona, where he has been Henry’s teammate.