HARRISON, N.J. (AP) Thierry Henry and Lloyd Sam scored second-half goals to give the New York Red Bulls their first win of the season, 2-1 over the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night.
Eric Alexander helped set up both goals, contributing on Henry's tally in the 57th and lofting a cross 10 minutes later for Sam to head inside the right post.
Sebastien Le Toux converted an 80th-minute penalty kick for Philadelphia after Ibrahim Sekagya was ejected for an intentional handball in the penalty area, and New York finished the final 12 minutes with 10 men.
It was only the second time this season the Red Bulls had scored more than one goal in a game and the third straight match in which Philadelphia had allowed two goals.
New York (1-2-4) moved into a four-way tie for fourth place in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference, including the Union (1-2-4).
''We just got to believe in ourselves,'' said midfielder Tim Cahill, who entered in the second half for his first appearance in three matches since injuring his hamstring in the first half against Chivas USA on March 30. ''We found our feet today. We found three points. This is the beginning of our season.''
After another uninspired first half, New York picked up its play after halftime.
Roy Miller exchanged passes with Alexander before breaking into the left side of the penalty area and sending a ball back into the middle. Henry ran onto it unmarked and easily beat Philadelphia goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
Alexander provided the primary assistance on the eventual winner. His chipped cross into the middle of the area was met by Sam, who powered it in from just outside the 6-yard box.
''To allow two serves into the box that easy ... it's baffling to watch,'' Philadelphia coach John Hackworth said. ''If you think about the plays we got right, and then we let those goals in. We'll just have to go back and evaluate it.''
Hackworth inserted Conor Casey and Antoine Hoppenot in the final 25 minutes to spark his offense. Casey was able to get off a shot that hit the left post. On the ensuing scramble, Maurice Edu's try was blocked by a sliding Sekagya.
Neither team was able to generate more than a handful of chances in the first half. A cool night and repeated errant passes by both sides resulted in a relatively uneventful 45 minutes.
