Richards lifts Red Bulls past Man City

Dane Richards scored from 25 metres in the 70th minute to give the New York Red Bulls a 2-1 victory over big-spending Manchester City of the English Premiership in a friendly Sunday.

Macoumba Kandji scored in the seventh minute off a pass from Richards to give the hosts the lead.

“Dane can run, and when I saw him I took off and found the blind spot in the defense,” Kandji said.

But Jo equalized for City in the 55th minute, setting the stage for the long-range winner from Richards.

It was the first victory for New York since the arrival of Frenchman Thierry Henry, who scored in his debut Thursday, a 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

Henry had two shots blocked and a third soared wide right of the Spurs goal before being pulled in the second half. He will play his first Major League Soccer league match Saturday at Houston.

“The most important thing is the Houston game,” Henry said. “I’m trying not to think too much about it.”

City had lost 2-0 to Sporting Lisbon in their Friday opener.

The friendlies were part of an event dubbed the New York Challenge.

The Portugese side won the title after drawing 2-2 with Spurs earlier Sunday, winning on goal difference after both Sporting and Spurs finished with a victory and draw.