HOUSTON — Thierry Henry had a pair of assists in his Major League Soccer debut, setting up Juan Pablo Angel for two goals to give the Red Bulls a 2-2 tie against the Houston Dynamo last night.
The former Barcelona and Arsenal star passed to Angel for goals in the 10th and 58th minutes, twice putting the Red Bulls ahead in his first competitive match since France’s first-round World Cup exit in June.
Nevertheless, Brian Mullan scored in the 90th minute to lift the Dynamo (5-8-5) to their fourth tie in five matches. Brad Davis also scored for Houston, which is winless since May 22.
The Red Bulls (8-6-3) got its third tie in four matches to remain in second place in the Eastern Conference.
Angel put New York ahead 1-0 after getting a pass from Henry and hitting it into the upper left net. Davis tied it in the 24th minute on a penalty kick, hitting it into the right net. Houston was awarded the kick after Joseph Ngwenya was tripped from behind in the box by Carlos Mendes.
Angel scored in the 58th minute to put the Red Bulls ahead again after getting a pass from Henry, dribbling to the right box and firing in the upper left net from 10 yards out.
Mullan tied the score on a header from the left box into the left side of the net after getting a pass from the right from Andrew Hainault.
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Rafael Marquez was released yesterday from the final two seasons of his contract with Barcelona, a move that allows the 31-year-old Mexican defender to sign with the Red Bulls with no transfer fee.
The Spanish champions announced the agreement with Marquez, whose contract had been scheduled to run through June 2012.