Red Bulls score late, salvage draw with Dynamo

ByReuters ESPN logo
Sunday, April 16, 2023

Omir Fernandez finished off a header in the 89th minute as the New York Red Bulls rallied late for a 1-1 draw against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday night to remain unbeaten in four home matches in Harrison, N.J.

After rain and thunderstorms delayed the start by about 40 minutes, the Red Bulls (1-2-5, 8 points) got their second straight draw thanks to a late goal.

The Red Bulls got the equalizer after successfully executing on a corner kick. John Tolkin kicked the ball over the Houston defense, and while New York's Wikelman Carmona prevented goalie Steve Clark from making a play, Fernandez softly headed the ball from close range into the vacated center of the goal.

Fernandez's goal helped the Red Bulls improve to 8-0-2 all-time over Houston at Red Bull Arena and 10-1-4 all-time at home against the Dynamo.

Adalberto Carrasquilla scored in the 67th minute for Houston but also conceded the deciding corner kick.

Houston (3-3-1, 10 points) went ahead when Carrasquilla got his fourth career MLS goal about six minutes after Ivan Franco took Houston's first shot on goal.

Franco set up the goal by slipping past Tolkin and sliding the ball through the box to Carrasquilla. As New York goalie Carlos Coronel moved to his right, Carrsaquilla sent a left-footed shot into the vacated center of the net.

Clark nearly made Carrasquilla's goal stand up by authoring a six-save showing.

Coronel made one save as New York maintained possession for 65.4 percent of the contest.

New York dominated the first half by getting four of its nine shots on target. Three were in rapid succession during a three-minute span.

In the 33rd minute, Clark made a diving stop on New York captain Sean Nealis. After the Red Bulls maintained possession, Clark dove and swatted away Cory Burke's header from about six yards out in the 34th, and then deflected an attempt by Cameron Harper a minute later.

After Houston scored, Clark denied Fernandez in the 70th minute and then stopped Cristian Casseres Jr. two minutes later.

--Field Level Media