HARRISON, NJ (May 26, 2013) – Jamison Olave’s 91st minute goal helped the Eastern Conference-leading New York Red Bulls tie the Columbus Crew 2-2 Sunday at Red Bull Arena. Thierry Henry also found the back of the net for New York, which is enjoying its first seven-game unbeaten run in MLS play in 10 years (5-0-2 in past seven matches) and improved to 25 points off a 7-4-4 record, giving it a two-point lead over the second place Montreal Impact.
Full Match Highlights
Columbus took the lead two minutes into the match. Eddie Gaven controlled the ball in New York’s defensive end and slipped it to Dominic Oduro. Oduro raced into the box, cut to his left foot and slid it home to give the Crew the lead.
Jonny Steele nearly tied the game up immediately for the visitors, firing a shot on frame that goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum had to parry.
The Red Bulls evened the score in the 31st minute. Tim Cahill hit a long ball towards the top of the Crew box that flew over the Columbus defense and into Henry’s path. Henry chipped it over Gruenebaum and into the netting for the Frenchman’s sixth goal of the year. The Red Bulls Captain almost doubled his tally seconds later, again running onto a Cahill through ball, rounding Gruenebaum and putting it wide of net.
New York continued to exert pressure in the second half. In the 64th minute, Fabian Espindola rose up to head a Steele cross over the bar. Then, Eric Alexander volleyed it into the arms of Gruenebaum.
The visitors regained the lead on after Justin Meram was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty box by Kosuke Kimura. Federico Higuain stepped up and put it in with 16 minutes to play.
The Red Bulls tried to rally to get back in the contest. Substitute Juninho ripped a blast from a Henry layoff but Gruenebaum was able to make the stop. Then, off a Juninho corner kick, Olave’s goalbound header was cleared off the line by Kevan George.
However, Olave though would find the back of the net in the first minute of stoppage time. Steele played a high cross towards the back post and Olave was able to control the pass, cut it to his left foot and smash it past Gruenebaum.
The Red Bulls finish their three-game homestand on Saturday, June 1 when they take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Red Bull Arena at 7:00 PM ET. Before that, the Red Bulls will host Reading United AC on Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM in a third round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup clash. Tickets are available by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER or logging onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
New York Red Bulls 2, Columbus Crew 2
May 26, 2013 – Red Bull Arena – Harrison, NJ
MLS Regular Season
Scoring Summary:
CLB: Dominic Oduro 6 (Eddie Gaven 4) 2’
NY: Thierry Henry 6 (Tim Cahill 3) 31’
CLB: Federico Higuain 3 (penalty kick) 74’
NY: Jamison Olave 4 (Jonny Steele 3) 91’+
Disciplinary Summary:
CLB: Matias Sanchez (caution) 41’
NY: Juninho (caution) 66’
CLB: Kevan George (caution) 76’
New York Red Bulls (7-4-4, 25 points) – Luis Robles, Kosuke Kimura, Markus Holgersson, Jamison Olave, Heath Pearce, Eric Alexander (Lloyd Sam 75’), Tim Cahill, Dax McCarty (Juninho 60’), Jonny Steele, Fabian Espindola, Thierry Henry
Substitutes Not Used: Santiago Castano, Roy Miller, Connor Lade, Marius Obekop, Brandon Barklage
Columbus Crew (4-4-4, 16 points) – Andy Gruenebaum, Josh Williams, Tyson Wahl, Eric Gehrig, Kevan George, Federico Higuain, Matias Sanchez (Danny O’Rourke 80’), Eddie Gaven, Tony Tchani, Justin Meram, Dominic Oduro (Aaron Schoenfeld 8’, Ben Speas 62’)
Substitutes Not Used: Matt Lampson, Ethan Finlay, Chad Barson, Konrad Warzycha
Referee: Geoff Gamble
Referee’s Assistants: Joe Fletcher, Eric Proctor
4th Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Attendance: 14,840
