Cahill relieved as Red Bulls open account

New York Red Bulls forward Tim Cahill says his team can ‘just relax and play football’ after claiming their first win of the MLS season.

The Red Bulls defeated Philadelphia Union 2-1 on Saturday thanks to Thierry Henry’s 82nd-minute winner and Cahill argued it was no less than the team deserved after a frustrating start to the 2013 campaign.

Cahill, who played against doctors’ order and was given the captain’s armband, bemoaned his team’s failure to keep a clean sheet for the fourth time from five matches this season but was otherwise thrilled to get off the mark, especially for head coach Mike Petke.

“I think for us, now we can just relax and play football,” Cahill said.

“This is finally the win we needed and come next week, we are going to have a good week training.

“Bit disappointed with the way we conceded the goal but we can go into this week relaxed, there’s no pressure.

“We played some great football in the first half, setting balls up, interlinking the play, going long, staying short.

“The game plan’s working well but for the manager (Petke), we’re so happy for him because he works night and day…out of everyone he deserves it and you can see his passion for it.”

Petke, who claimed victory for the first time as New York’s head coach, argued his team’s performance against Philadelphia was far from the best of the season but claimed the Red Bulls deserved the three points.

“Compared to all the other games I wasn’t happiest with the way we performed for large chunks of the game but we got the result, I’m very happy about that,” Petke said.

“The guys worked for it and they earned it.”