HANOVER, N.J. - The New York Red Bulls received a bit of good news Tuesday morning, as Thierry Henry showed signs of potentially being able to start in their Thursday opener to the MLS Cup Playoffs, presented by AT&T.
Henry resumed full training for the Red Bulls on Tuesday, just two days after missing out on a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City because of inflammation in both Achilles tendons. The star striker and New York captain was active during the practice session and showed no real signs of being hindered by the problematic Achilles that began to flare up after a 3-1 loss to the Columbus Crew on Oct. 19.
“The feedback was to get him out here and see how he feels. He looks good,” said Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke. “We’ll know more how he responds after practice, but he looks good.”
While it seems all but certain that Henry plays in some capacity in Thursday’s Knockout Round game vs. Sporting KC at Red Bull Arena (8 pm ET; ESPN2 | TSN1), plenty of questions remain about how much longer the 37-year-old forward’s body will be willing to cooperate.
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There is already plenty of speculation as to whether he will retire when his contract expires at season’s end. His recent Achilles issue will certainly only fuel that speculation.
Petke, however, disagrees.
“Thierry can play two more years, I think, easily,” said Petke. “If he took care of his body, which he does, I think that he could certainly still play. I have no clue what he’s going to do, and I’m sure that all that comes into it – mentally, physically, I know he has his daughter back in London. I’m sure everything plays into it, and that’s why perhaps he’s not making a rash decision.”
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Another possible reason, Petke said, is to postpone the inevitable media attention that his decision will draw and leave it for after the Red Bulls are done thinking about 2014.
“If he announced his retirement or his intention to play, especially being out of contract, it would be a circus no matter what he said,” said Petke. “I understand why he’s not saying anything.”
Henry is expected to speak to the media on Wednesday.
Franco Panizo covers the New York Red Bulls for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached by email at Franco8813@gmail.com.
