New England 2-2 New York (New England win 4-3 on aggregate)

Charlie Davies scored twice as New England twice came from behind to ensure their place in the MLS Cup final next weekend and ruin what could be Thierry Henry's last professional match.

Tim Cahill had pulled New York back into the Eastern Conference semi-final when his 26th-minute opener made it 2-2 on aggregate.

But Davies gave the home side the advantage once more three minutes before the interval in a savage psychological blow to New York.

However, seven minutes into the second period, Peguy Luyindula restored New York's advantage, and the visitors looked set to build on the momentum and claim another goal to reach the final.

With 20 minutes left, though, Davies headed home a tremendous Chris Tierney cross to send New England through.

It was a sad end for Henry, too, with his New York contract set to end at the end of the season.

Cahill came into the New York side in place of the suspended Bradley Wright-Phillips, but the big question for many of the visiting fans was whether this would be the last-ever game of Henry's career.

Kevin Alston was drafted into the New England starting XI, with Chris Tierney pushing into midfield in place of Kelyn Rowe.

New York started positively with Cahill and Henry clearly looking to turn around the semi-final with an early goal in Boston, and Peguy Luyindula almost slid home a Lloyd Sam cross in the sixth minute.

After not starting in the first leg, Cahill was determined to make an impact, and he flashed a shot over the crossbar from a Richard Eckersley pass.

New England goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth needed to be swift to clear the danger as Cahill waited for a Henry cross.

After the early New York dominance, Teal Bunbury broke down the right for New England and sent over a superb cross, but no team-mate was available to connect with just one touch needed to open the scoring.

Bunbury was again in the action moments later when his run was spotted by Jermaine Jones, but the New England forward was rightly called for offside.

But in the 26th minute, New York levelled the semi-final on aggregate. Henry collected the ball at the edge of the area and floated it to the far post. Cahill fought with Jose Goncalves, and the former Everton man prodded the ball past Shuttleworth.

The visitors were in the ascendancy as they chased another goal to wipe out New England's away-goal cushion.

But three minutes before the end of the first period, New England were level on the night and restored their aggregate lead, with Davies squeezing home a Tierney cross with his thigh in a packed New York area.

It was a crushing blow for New York as they had been preparing to enter the interval with the momentum in their favour.

A mistake by Jamison Olave allowed Jones to run on goal early in the second half, but the United States international was wide of the mark with his shot.

Seven minutes into the second period, New York wiped out the deficit. Cahill could not reach a Sam cross to the far post, and the ball dropped on New England defender Andy Farrell. He was unable to control the ball, and Luyindula pounced to make it 3-3 on aggregate.

Jones and Dax McCarty were involved in a challenge, which spilled over into a spat between a number of players on both sides, and the nature became a little more fractious as a result.

New England were calling for a penalty in the 64th minute when Lee Nguyen fell to the floor under a challenge from Olave, but the referee continued the play.

Moments later, Henry gifted Cahill with a wonderful opportunity, but the Australia international did not get full contact on his effort, and the chance flew over.

That miss was to prove even more wasteful. New York goalkeeper Luis Robles fumbled a 70th-minute Tierney cross, and Jones played the ball out to the left-sided midfielder again.

This time, Tierney's ball into the six-yard area was met by Davies for his second goal of the game to make it 4-3 to New England on aggregate.

Davies left the field to a rapturous ovation from the home crowd as he was replaced by Rowe, while New York sent on Connor Lade for Ibrahim Sekagya in a bid to chase a winning goal.

Henry fell to ground after a collision with Shuttleworth, but no penalty was awarded to New York in the 88th minute.

But there was to be no fairytale comeback for New York and Henry as New England held on.

Selected Player Ratings

Thierry Henry: A+

Not the same player as he was in his prime with Arsenal, Barcelona and France, but the striker still showed glimpses of his former self and was the architect of New York's best chances.

Jermaine Jones: A

Pulled the strings for New England throughout the match, and his penetrative passing was a strong facet for New England.

Tim Cahill: A-

Had a point to prove after being dropped for the first leg, and it showed. Trademark battling qualities for the opening goal.

What's ahead

New England will now head into the MLS Cup final against either LA Galaxy or Seattle on Dec. 7 for their final game of the season, while New York will have to wait until next season for their next competitive encounter.

Post-Match Reaction

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