New recruit Tim Cahill has played a crucial role in both goals as New York Red Bulls won 2-0 over Houston Dynamo in the MLS.
Playing in just his second match for New York, Cahill was involved in the lead-up for goals to Marcus Holgersson and Jan Gunnar Solli as the Red Bulls won to go top of the MLS Eastern Conference.
After a goalless first half, New York took the lead in the 61st minute with Cahill getting on the end of Roy Miller’s cross to nod the ball down to Holgersson for a simple tap-in.
In a clash involving the top two sides in the Eastern Conference, Dynamo had their chances to take at least a point home to Houston with 12 shots to nine for the Red Bulls.
In the 75th minute, Houston’s Corey Ashe smashed the ball into the bar and then three minutes later Dynamo veteran Brian Ching headed wide from point-blank range.
The visitors were made to pay in the second minute of injury time when Cahill received the ball from Thierry Henry on the left wing.
Cahill held the ball up, dragging Dynamo defenders to him and allowing Henry to run past before he passed down the line to the unmarked French striker.
Henry squared the ball to Solli to score.
New York have moved to 41 points, leapfrogging Houston in the Eastern Conference standings.
Houston are on 40 points, only ahead of Sporting Kansas City on goal difference.
