Kenny Cooper and Dax McCarty’s first half goals helped the New York Red Bulls earn a 2-2 tie against the San Jose Earthquakes at Red Bull Arena Saturday evening. The result pushed New York’s MLS unbeaten run to four and its record to 3-2-1 and 10 points, good for second place in the Eastern Conference. Former Arsenal Thierry Henry delivered a pass, his 5th this season.
New York took immediate control of the match in the fifth minute with the opening goal of the night. Roy Miller’s throw in on the left side bounded to Thierry Henry, who played a quick pass to an onside Cooper. Cooper made no mistake, slotting it past goalkeeper Jon Busch for his league-high seventh goal of the year.
The Earthquakes equalized nine minutes later. Chris Wondolowski hit a through ball to an open Khari Stephenson in the penalty box. Stephenson had time to pick out Rafael Baca and the San Jose midfielder knocked it into the back of the net.
The Red Bulls came into Saturday’s encounter as the highest scoring team in MLS and they did not disappoint, again taking the lead in the 22nd minute. Dane Richards made a dashing run on the right wing to the endline and crossed it into the box. Cooper got a flick on the ball with his foot and McCarty got to the deflection, ripping his one-time shot into the lower right hand corner of the goalmouth. It was McCarty’s first goal as a Red Bull.
San Jose again came back in a seesaw first half and tied the game 13 minutes later. Steven Beitashour cut into his left foot and crossed it towards the back post. Shea Salinas was able to keep it in play and chipped it to Wondolowski, who nodded it in at the top of the six-yard box for his seventh goal of the year. Cooper nearly pushed the score to 3-2 moments after, as his deflected cross dinged off the woodwork.
In the second half, both teams searched for the match-winner. The ex-Arsenal Henry was able to create space for himself at the top of the 18-yard box in the 67th minute and lined an attempt that Busch went to block before he collected. A minute later, Wondolowski cut it to Stephenson and the Earthquake forced New York goalkeeper Ryan Meara to save his shot. Marvin Chavez then almost beat Meara with a curling left-footed drive that went wide.
