HARRISON, N.J. (April 29, 2015) – The New York Red Bulls played to a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena. Bradley Wright-Phillips put away a penalty in the 29th minute to answer a 25th minute strike from the Rapids.
With the draw, the Red Bulls move to 3-0-4 on the season and remain the only undefeated side in MLS.
After a 10-minute feeling out period, the home side came alive, generating several quick chances in a row and pressing the Colorado back line. The best opportunity came as a cross off the foot of right back Chris Duvall that was headed just wide by Mike Grella in the 13th minute.
With the press in full effect, the Rapids were able to spring Dominique Badji on a clean breakaway, but his early shot from the top of the box was blocked away by Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles.
Colorado struck first, against the run of play, when a Dillon Powers free kick was headed on by Gabriel Torres and past Robles in the 25th minute.
The Red Bulls responded just minutes later, when Sacha Kljestan was pulled down in the box to earn a penalty. 2014 MLS Golden Boot Winner Bradley Wright-Phillips stepped to the spot and buried his second penalty of the year, and third goal overall.
Badji got behind the defense again in the 26th minute, but Robles got just enough of his shot to see the ball roll of the post and wide.
The home side continued to string together changes in the second half. In the 64th minute midfielder Kljestan found space at the top of the box and put a curling left-footed shot around Colorado ‘keeper Clint Irwin but just off the crossbar.
A minute later, Lloyd Sam found Felipe at the penalty spot. The Brazilian, playing in his 100th-career MLS game, took a touch and struck a low ball that went just outside the right post.
In the 78th minute, Kljestan played Wright-Phillips through the back line. The English striker took a touch around Irwin, but the resulting angle proved to be too steep, and his attempt towards goal went wide.
New York has another quick turnaround, finishing off a run of three games in seven days with a trip to New England to face off with the Revolution on Saturday, May 2nd at 7:30 p.m. (TV: MSG)
The Red Bulls are next home on Sunday, May 10, for a match against MLS expansion side New York City FC.
BOX SCORE
Scoring Summary:
- COL - Gabriel Torres (3) (Dillon Powers), 25'
- NY - Bradley Wright-Phillips (3) (Penalty Kick), 30'
Misconduct Summary:
- COL - Nick LaBrocca (caution, foul) 54'
- NY - Lloyd Sam (caution, foul) 57'
- COL - Bobby Burling (caution, foul) 90+1
- COL - Lucas Pittinari (caution, encroachment) 90+2
Lineups:
New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles; Chris Duvall, Damien Perrinelle, Matt Miazga, Roy Miller, Dax McCarty © (Dane Richards, 73'), Felipe, Sacha Kljestan, Lloyd Sam (Anatole Abang, 87'), Mike Grella (Sal Zizzo, 63'), Bradley Wright-Phillips
TOTAL SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 2; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 2.
Colorado Rapids: Clint Irwin; Ben Newman, Bobby Burling ©, Alex Sjoberg, Michael Harrington, Lucas Pittinari, Nick LaBrocca, Gabriel Torres (Sam Cronin, 69'), Dillon Powers, Juan Ramirez (Dillon Serna, 86'), Dominique Badji (Charles Eloundou, 73')
TOTAL SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 14; OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 4.
- Referee: Mark Geiger
- Referee's Assistants: Greg Barkey, Brian Dunn
- 4th Official: Alex Chilwicz
- Attendance: 12,540
