Minus the team's match at Houston Dynamo at the beginning of the month, the New York Red Bulls didn't have much trouble finding the back of the net during August. They even got a bit of help from an opposing player during one contest. There's no need to list an own goal in this piece, though, as New York managed to bury several impressive tallies of their own during the month. Diehard Red Bulls fans won't have to think long and hard or scroll to the very bottom of the page to know which goal gets the top spot in this list.
Top New York Red Bulls goals for August 2012 #5: Opener on the road
The Red Bulls struck first while away to DC United back on August 29 thanks to a goal that started with a turnover in the midfield. Captain Thierry Henry did well to run down a short pass before sliding to the ground and delivering a through ball for Joel Lindpere. Lindpere, who has been in the dog house of head coach Hans Backe multiple times this season, took a touch before sending a left-footed attempt that took a deflection off of goalkeeper Bill Hamid before bouncing into the back of the net. New York ultimately required a second goal to earn a point in that contest, an equalizer that is mentioned later on in this list.
Top New York Red Bulls goals for August 2012 #4: A goal that wasn't a goal?
New York's most controversial goal of the month, and possibly of the entire season, came back on August 19 while hosting Portland Timbers. Portland jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Kenny Cooper cut the deficit in half, and designated player Tim Cahill then leveled the match in the 45th minute with a shot that was hit right as the referee was blowing his whistle (more on the incident here). While Timbers fans were understandably upset about the incident, the fact remains that goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts had no chance of saving the Cahill strike regardless of the whistle. It will go down as one of the team's most important goals of the season, as the Red Bulls couldn't have afforded dropping points to the lowly Western Conference side.
Top New York Red Bulls goals for August 2012 #3: Using your head
Cahill gets his second nod in this list, this time for an assist in New York's home match against Houston. Roughly 30 seconds past the hour-mark of play, left back Roy Miller played a cross from the wing toward the center of the box. Cahill, known for being great in the air, tracked unnoticed behind two defenders before heading the ball downward toward teammate Markus Holgersson. Holgersson completed the easy tap-in finish, and the Red Bulls were on their way to a needed 2-0 win.
Top New York Red Bulls goals for August 2012 #2: A winner
August was a month of late dramatics from the Red Bulls, starting with the team's game against Portland. Thierry Henry played a corner into the box nine minutes from time, a ball that went across the face of goal and to forward Kenny Cooper. Cooper showed great patience in holding possession and waiting for a teammate, Jan Gunnar Solli, to get open outside of the penalty area. Cooper passed to Solli, who sent a cross back into the box. Heath Pearce rose above the crowd and headed home the game winner, keeping New York in the Supporters' Shield race.
Top New York Red Bulls goals for August 2012 #1: Conde
August's number one RBNY goal took little effort to determine. Wilman Conde's crack from outside of the penalty area two minutes away from stoppage time earned New York a draw and an extremely important point against hated rivals DC. The goal also ensured that the Red Bulls would exit August having not lost in four straight contests. With only eight points separating first place from fifth in the MLS East, the Red Bulls will need plenty of additional clutch finishes over the next two months.
