Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry to miss showdown with Galaxy

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New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry has been ruled out of Friday’s highly anticipated Major League Soccer showdown with the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center due to an MCL sprain in his right knee, the team announced Tuesday.

The decision will deny Galaxy star David Beckham the opportunity to play against his former English Premiership rival for the first time in the U.S.

Beckham was still recovering from his own injury when the two teams met at Red Bull Arena in August.

“We spoke to Thierry Monday and we decided that it was the best course of action for his health and for our club to rest him this week,” New York General Manager and sporting director Erik Soler said.

“Despite the attention surrounding this Friday’s match, we did not want to exacerbate Thierry’s current injury that he has been playing and practicing with over the past two weeks. We want to ensure that he is healthy for our final matches as we hope to qualify for the playoffs and make a run towards the MLS Cup. We have no doubt that our game against the Los Angeles Galaxy will be no less exciting with the talent already on the pitch and we are confident that we can earn a positive result.’

Henry suffered the injury against Real Salt Lake on Sept. 4 but played with the injury against Dallas last Thursday. He was later fined $2,000 for a celebratory kick of the ball that injured Dallas goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.

The Red Bulls are second in the Eastern Conference with 41 points and a 12-8-5 record. The Galaxy is in first place in the Western Conference with 50 points and a 15-5-5 record.

-- Chuck Schilken