Henry injury spells disaster for Red Bulls

New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry will miss three to four weeks with a hamstring strain after picking up the injury at the weekend.

Henry scored what proved to be the winner in a 1-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Saturday, but went down late with the injury, which is expected to keep him out for up to a month.

“His injury is disastrous for us,” Red Bulls coach Hans Backe said. “His leadership in every single training session is invaluable.

“It’s a huge loss for us, both on and off the pitch. It’s going to be difficult now without him.”

Henry is one of eight players who will likely miss the May 5 match against the reigning MLS champions LA Galaxy.

Additionally, fellow Designated Player Rafael Marquez is suspended for breaking a player’s collarbone.

“It’s a very strange season,” Backe said. “I have never been involved, in 30 years, with a team picking up five, six, seven injuries from starters, so it’s very tricky.

“We will have probably three or four more games – very rough ones – until some players are coming back.”

After the Galaxy game, the Red Bulls take on 2011 MLS Cup finalists the Houston Dynamo, followed by a trip to Philadelphia to play the Union.

US international Juan Agudelo is still recovering from knee surgery, meaning New York’s only fit striker is Kenny Cooper, third in the league with seven goals in 2012. Henry is tied for second in MLS with five assists.