NY Red Bulls Henry becomes first player to win award three consecutive weeks

New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 5 of the 2012 MLS season. With two goals and one assist in New York’s 4-1 victory over the Columbus Crew, Henry becomes the first player in MLS history to earn the honor for three consecutive weeks.

Saturday’s performance brings Henry’s 2012 goal-scoring total to a league-leading seven while the assist, his fourth, places Henry second among assist leaders this season.

In addition to his three-straight Player of the Week awards, Henry was also honored as the MLS Player of the Month for March.

On Saturday, Henry provided an assist on the Red Bulls’ early first half goal as he sent a long ball into the box for Kenny Cooper in the 3rd minute. Cooper trapped the pass and then buried the ball for the 1-0 lead.

With the Red Bulls up 2-0, courtesy of a second Cooper tally, Henry got on the board in the 40th minute. Henry ran onto a well-timed through-ball from Roy Miller and placed a shot just inside the far post for the 3-0 lead heading into halftime.

Henry struck again in the 90th minute, less than a minute after the Crew scored their lone goal of the match. The French striker received a cross in the middle of the box from teammate Joel Lindpere, brought the ball down with his chest, and blasted a shot into the top right corner of the net to close out the game, 4-1.