Ten-man Houston ties N.Y. to spoil Henry's debut

Soccer Betting Lines

07/31/2010 - Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brian Mullan scored in the 90th minute as 10- man Houston tied Red Bull New York on Saturday, 2-2, to spoil Thierry Henry's two-assist debut in Major League Soccer.

Henry assisted on two goals for Juan Pablo Angel, who is second in MLS with 11 goals, but Brad Davis converted a penalty kick for the Dynamo and Mullan added the stunning game-tying goal in the closing seconds.

Angel scored in the 10th and 58th minutes, both times giving the Red Bulls the lead, but New York (8-6-3) failed to secure the win even with a man advantage for the entire second half at Robertson Stadium.

Houston (5-8-5) is winless in eight straight but avoided its fifth loss during the skid. The Dynamo, who had Lovel Palmer sent off just before halftime, have not won since May 22, a 2-0 win over D.C. United.

Houston should have opened the scoring inside 10 minutes, but after Palmer's initial effort was knocked down by Bulls goalie Bouna Coundoul, Adrian Serioux launched the rebound over an empty net.

Angel followed with his 10th goal of the season in the 10th minute, turning an assist from Henry into the opener. Henry played the ball into the box from the left end line and Angel settled with Eddie Robinson defending and easily found the left side of the net from just a few yards out.

The Dynamo tied the match in the 24th minute after Carlos Mendes fouled Joseph Ngwenya in the area. Davis hammered the penatly kick inside the right post for his third goal of the season.

Henry should have notched his first MLS goal in the 31st minute but the France star somehow failed to convert from six yards after a pass from Angel, despite having an open net in front of him.

Houston was awarded its second penalty in the 38th minute when Brian Ching was fouled in the area, but Davis launched his second penalty well over the bar.

Henry had another golden scoring chance before halftime but, after Angel put a perfect pass into open space, the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker slipped the shot wide right to waste a one-on-one against Houston goalie Tally Hall.

The half ended with Palmer receiving a red card for a harmless 50-50 challenge on Mendes, leaving the Dynamo short a man for the second half.

Danny Cruz started the second half with a great scoring chance for Houston but his 22-yard shot was tipped around the right post by Coundoul.

Henry found the target in the 54th, but Hall made an easy save to keep Houston level. Hall couldn't do anything four minutes later, when Angel added his 11th goal of the season.

Henry played Angel into the right side of the area, and Angel's shot deflected off a Houston player and sailed past Hall in the 58th to put New York in total control.

However, Houston played much better after falling behind and held off New York until the final minutes to set up Mullan's late equalizer.

Ching played the ball to Andrew Hainault on the right side, and Hainault swung a cross to the far side of the area to Mullan. Mullan jumped to head the ball and placed it perfectly inside the left post with just seconds left in normal time.

Houston, which was without starting goalkeeper Pat Onstad and defender Bobby Bowell, held on through five minutes of stoppage time to secure the draw.

Henry makes his next appearance in Chicago on Aug. 8 when New York visits the Fire. Houston will try to end its winless streak Aug. 8 when it visits Seattle Sounders FC.