October 1, 2012
A VERY HIGH FIVE
Henry named MLS player of week for 5th time

Thierry Henry's goal and three assists were good enough for MLS player of the week. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

For the fifth time this season, Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry was named the MLS player of the week for the week on Monday.

The former French international earned the honor after a one-goal, three-assist performance in New York's 4-1 victory over Toronto FC at Red Bull Arena on Saturday night.

The MLS player of the week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from the North American Soccer Reporters.

The Red Bulls could clinch a playoff spot when they host Eastern Conference rival Chicago Fire at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be nationally televised live on NBC.

Henry, who earlier this season became the first player in league history to earn three consecutive MLS player of the week awards and secured his fourth honor two weeks ago, became the first New York player in over 10 years to record three assists in a match.

With the Red Bulls trailing, 1-0, Henry helped equalize, delivering a corner kick that defender Markus Holgersson headed home. The Red Bulls took the lead for good in the 27th minute and Henry was again the provider, running onto a Lloyd Sam through ball and cutting it back to an open Kenny Cooper, who deposited it into the back of the net.

Henry earned his hat trick of assists two minutes in the 88th minute, controlling a Jan Gunnar Solli feed in the penalty box and sliding it to Cooper again, who tallied his team-high 16th goal of the season. Henry added a goal in stoppage time, lobbing goalkeeper Freddy Hall from long range.

Henry has 14 goals, 12 assists and four multi-goal matches this season in 22 games.

Since signing with the Red Bulls in July 2010, the World Cup, Henry has recorded 30 goals and 19 assists in 59 matches.