Two goals from Luke Rodgers and Thierry Henry's first tally of the season paced the New York Red Bulls to a 3-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday night at a rain-drenched Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls outshot the Earthquakes 19-6, and goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul made three saves for his first win of the season, as the Red Bulls improved to eight points off a 2-1-2 record. New York took an early lead just two minutes after kickoff on Rodgers' first MLS goal. Rafa Márquez swung a corner into the box that was deflected by an Earthquakes defender to the far post. The ball fell to Dane Richards, who got a touch and bounced the ball towards the center of the area, where Rodgers was able to get his head to the ball and guide it past Jon Busch for his first career MLS goal. Rodgers doubled his account and the Red Bulls' lead in the 15th minute. After a Rodgers cross misfired and went to the far side of the field, San Jose defender Ramiro Corrales was dispossessed by Henry. Henry stormed into the box on the right side and played a low cross towards the goal area finding Rodgers, who beat Busch with a first-time effort. Rodgers nearly netted his third of the half in the 39th minute, barely missing the net from the right side of the penalty area off a feed from Dwayne De Rosario. Coundoul was called into action for the first time of the game in the 48th minute, stopping 2010 MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski's acute angle effort from the right side. Henry was dangerous throughout the match, coming close in the 52nd minute. Rodgers played Henry through on goal, where the Frenchman took a touch around Busch but couldn't keep his left-footed chance on frame. Later, Henry forced Busch to make an acrobatic save in the 76th minute when the netminder parried Henry's 25 yard effort. Henry finally found the back of the net in the 87th minute on a beautiful feed from Rodgers. On a counterattack, Rodgers pulled up from outside of the box and sent a cross into the path of Henry, who dove forward and nodded the ball into the far side netting. It was Henry's third career MLS goal, and Rodgers' first MLS assist. The Red Bulls travel to rival D.C. United for a midweek clash on Thursday, April 21 at RFK Stadium at 8:00 PM ET (TV: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes; Radio: WADO 1280 AM). New York returns on home Saturday, April 30, when it hosts Sporting Kansas City at 7:30 PM ET. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or by logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
