FIRST HALF LIVE LOOK: Red Bulls level with Rapids at the break

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New York Red Bulls and Colorado Rapids are locked in a draw after 45 minutes at Red Bull Arena, 1-1. The Rapids struck first in the 25th minute via Gabby Torres and Bradley Wright-Phillips converted a penalty kick in the 30th minute to level the match at one.


Sacha Kljestan had the first scoring opportunity for the Red Bulls in the 12th minute. He received a cross on the left side of the box in space. He brought the ball down and struck his shot, but it was corralled by Clint Irwin. Two minutes later, Dominique Badji broke free in behind the New York defense, but in a one-on-one with Luis Robles, he hit his shot straight to the goalkeeper who made the save.


The Rapids broke the deadlock on a free-kick. Dillon Powers whipped in a dangerous ball into the box and Gabriel Torres batted the ball down on into the back of the net. But the Red Bulls answered four minutes later.


Lloyd Sam charged forward and spotted Mike Grella to his left inside the box. Grella received the pass, spotted Wright-Phillips and delivered a pass. Wright-Phillips was hauled down in the 29th minute and was awarded a penalty kick. Wright-Phillips stepped up the spot, and slotted away his chance into the lower left corner.


Badji threatened again in the 36th minute, creating another one-on-one opportunity, but his shot was again near Robles who got a piece of the shot. Red Bull Arena held its breath as the ball rolled towards the net, but it bounced off of the post and out of bounds safely.


Colorado captain Drew Moor was a late scratch before the match and was replaced by Bobby Burling.