16 July 2010
Henry's move attracted headlines around the globe, and the marketing department in New York must have been delighted to see the team's name splashed across a variety of media outlets across the pond.
But unlike the English midfielder, whom Henry will almost always be linked to in the historical tomes, the Frenchman will almost make a difference from a playing perspective.
At 32 years of age, the speed and dynamic edge is somewhat diminished, but Henry should have enough left to contribute in MLS for at least the next two years. Remember, he joins from FC Barcelona, a club where he rounded out his collection of trophies and eventually fell out of favor.
The move comes at a time when the only direction Henry can go is up – but on a much smaller scale. Between his injuries at Barcelona, the infamous handball incident, and France's World Cup disaster, his stock could be seen at an all-time low.
Even so, as long as his finishing ability remains decent, he could make a run at the double-digit mark for goals in 2010. And certainly he can't do it alone, which is why the sooner Henry can build a partnership with current striker Juan Pablo Angel, the better.
No one team in MLS can claim to have a similar pair, one that will strike fear in the heart of opposing defenses. And while Angel has struggled with his finishing at times, there's no doubt that lining up with Henry up top will open up space like he's never seen before.
As a team, New York has righted the ship after last season's debacle. The addition of Henry doesn't turn the club into instant contenders, but it gives them a potent goal-scoring threat that can change a game in a matter of seconds.
Perhaps the biggest question surrounding the acquisition is what kind of player they will get. Is it the Henry of 2008 who contributed in Barcelona's title run? Or the 2009 one that saw few minutes in La Liga and struggled to remain fit. That will truly determine whether or not his acquisition was the right move.
