New York Red Bulls midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy came on as a late substitute and headed in a stoppage-time goal off a corner kick to pull New York even with the Houston Dynamo and salvage a 2-2 draw at Robertson Stadium.
Houston had taken the lead just minutes earlier, as the Red Bulls experienced more problems defending set pieces. Geoff Cameron's initial header off an 82nd-minute corner kick was saved by Greg Sutton, but the keeper yielded a rebound at the goalmouth to Koke, who easily touched home his first goal in Major League Soccer.
Dane Richards opened the scoring just 39 seconds into the match — the quickest goal in Red Bulls history — but Brad Davis converted a penalty kick in the 12th minute to level the score soon after. Will Bruin drew the penalty on Rafa Marquez, getting clipped in the box while cutting back on a run down the left.
Juan Agudelo started in place of the injured Thierry Henry and had his best chance, a close-range header, saved by Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall. He came off in the 79th minute for Ballouchy.
What did you think about the match?
Share your thoughts below.
Considering the linesman is dead even with Bruin as the ball is played I’m gonna take his word for it.
The RedBulls are too satisified with possesion. They need to open up thier game a little more and attack. While they did play a number of balls into the box they did not appear to be that dangerous. Agudelo was invisible most of the match. Glad to see Rafa is no longer taking corners / other set pieces. He has been floating the ball into the box instead of driving the ball in. Much better service from Lindpere. The RedBulls need less long balls and use thier ability to move the ball on the ground more prodictively and ATTACK.
Jesus Christ people, just pause the damn thing at 10:43 (which is exactly when the ball leaves Davis’ foot) and one Houston player is offside, the other is par with Marquez. If it helps you, just think of who is closer to midfield (clearly Marquez), now what?
I don’t have a VCR but I watched my DVR of it and he was onside.
I did. Look at where the Dynamo fwd is when the last touch is made on the pass to him. You can argue that a PK wasn’t warranted if that makes you feel good, but a plea for offside is weak.
I disagree with your comment that the Red Bulls continue to have problems on set pieces. The problem this game was that they gave up too many. Houston might be the best team in the league on set pieces, they did a good job clearing them. Ever since that 2nd half at home against Sporting KC, the team has been giving up more good chances on goal and not dominating possession as much. I hope that improves. Yes, that 1st Houston goal was offisde, but Houston did have quite a few good chances particularly that almost goal by Cameron if he did not trip on his own feet.
I thought Agudelo was silent for the most part.
Anyone notice that Ballouchy scored off a corner taken by Lindpere,…and NOT Rafa Marquez! It was incredible how poor Marquez’s service was on set pieces against Chivas USA at Red Bull Arena and I could not believe that they let him continue to take corners and free kicks.
Hopefully Joel and others will take the free kicks and Marquez can focus on defending set pieces!
+1
Been very unimpressed with large majority of Marquez’s set pieces. DeRo, Lindpere and even Richards should get looks more often. Maybe tonight is the start of that.
To be fair, Houston’s first goal should have never happened as the guy was clearly offside, just watch the tape!
Joel’s corners were more effective than Rafa’s have been. RB needs to show more commitment on defending set pieces, although there was some improvement over last week. I hope TH14 is okay for the Rapids game on Wednesday. I agree with BB that Ballouchy should get some confidence from this.
Houston needs to be more mentally tough. Getting scored 43 seconds into the game and getting scored in stoppage time is not mentally tough.
Dynamo had this. Ref blew the whistle EVERY time Richards went down.
Dynamo need a midfield. Very impressed with Koke and Houston Def
Ballouchy hopefully gets some confidence from this. He has been like tits on the bull mostly.