Dane Richards struck a superb 25-yard winner as the New York Red Bulls subjected Manchester City to their second successive pre-season defeat in the United States. (Match Highlights)

Roberto Mancini's side opened the four-team New York Challenge with a 2-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon and were behind to the Red Bulls as early as the seventh minute after Macoumba Kandji's opener.

Jo hit back for City 11 minutes after the break but the Premier League side failed to find any rhythm and Richards struck the decisive goal with 19 minutes remaining.

It was the visitors who nearly opened the scoring first when Emmanuel Adebayor and Jo exchanged passes but the Togo striker shot straight at Bouna Coundoul in the Red Bulls goal.

And the home side duly converted their first opportunity of the match less than 60 seconds later when Richards escaped down the right flank before firing in a low cross which Kandji converted.

Thierry Henry scored in his Red Bulls debut, a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham, and was pulling all the strings as the MLS side looked to double their advantage.

The former Barcelona and Arsenal man shot narrowly wide after 21 minutes before Adebayor missed a second golden opportunity, again hitting his side-footed shot within reach of Coundoul after good work from Jo.

Manchester City have left a number of their first-team players at home but looked sluggish throughout the first half and Seth Stammler failed to hit the target with his diving header as the Red Bulls pressed for a second.

And Henry, scorer of 174 goals in 235 league starts for Arsenal, failed to beat Joe Hart, missing the ball as he attempted to round the City keeper after beating the offside trap 13 minutes before the break.

City briefly sparked into life after the half-time interval when Adebayor let fly from the edge of the box but saw his effort go wide.

And Brazilian Jo drew City level in style when he delicately lifted Greg Cunningham's low cross over Coundoul.

However, the Red Bulls were soon on the front foot again as City, despite making a host of changes, tired in the New York heat.

And the hosts secured victory in sensational style when Richards, always a menace on the wing, picked up the ball in the right channel and unleashed an unstoppable shot which went in off the bar.

City could have stolen a draw with six minutes remaining after Adam Johnson broke free on the right and swung in a low cross - but Alex Nimely inexplicably shot over from just a yard out.

Source: Eurosport