What felt like a win for Real Salt Lake certainly felt like a loss for the New York Red Bulls, which dominated Saturday’s affair at Rice-Eccles Stadium for 88 minutes before conceding two goals in the final minutes, reducing a certain win to a 3-3 draw. Before then, Bulls General Claudio Reyna controlled midfield with customary ease, and his wingers Dane Richards and Dave van den Bergh always looked capable of a counterattack. Clint Mathis, playing in the slot behind Jozy Altidore at center forward, linked up perfectly with the midfield, scoring two beautiful goals while springing Richards for the first.
Indeed, the Bulls looked like the best team in MLS in a match that had been executed perfectly but for Chris Klein’s unstoppable left-footed curler in the 61st minute. As HDNet commentator Marcelo Balboa pointed out, RSL didn’t look determined enough or likely to score again, until Jeff Parke’s needless 90th minute elbow. The Bulls’ defender’s challenge was enough to off-balance Carey Talley’s header, but the elbow was foolish. Two minutes after Jeff Cunningham’s penalty, Freddy Adu lofted a ball into space on the right finding substitute Chris Brown, who turned sharply, and fired another unstoppable shot off the left post. Todd Dunivant, who’s been solid all season, was beaten very easily on the goal.
For each team, the psychological ramifications could be significant. “We tied this game and we’re feeling we had won,” RSL coach Jason Kreis said of his first match in charge. “To be honest, we should. When you come back from a two-goal deficit, it’s a huge boost for everyone mentally.” Conversely, the result could be a blow to the heretofore-unmovable Red Bulls, which has now surrendered its status as league leader to the Kansas City Wizards.