Cameron Harper scores late, helps Red Bulls tie DC United 2-2 to extend unbeaten run at home to 10
HARRISON, N.J. — Cameron Harper scored late in the second half to rally New York to a 2-2 draw with D.C. United on Saturday night, extending the Red Bulls' unbeaten streak at home to 10 to begin the season.
DC United (4-9-8) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 6th minute when Jared Stroud took a pass from 20-year-old rookie forward Jacob Murrell and scored for a second time this season. Murrell notched his first assist in his fifth start and 17th appearance this season.
Forward Cristian Dájome was sent off the field for a red card after receiving yellow cards in the 14th and 20th minutes, forcing DC United to play a man down from there.
The Red Bulls (9-4-8) pulled even for the first time in the 24th minute on a penalty-kick goal by Elias Manoel. It was the fifth goal of the campaign for Manoel, whose PK came after Sean Nealis drew a foul on DC United's Matti Peltola.
Pedro Santos, who picked up a yellow card in the 23rd minute, scored unassisted in the fourth minute of stoppage time to send DC United into halftime with a 2-1 lead. It was the second goal this season for Santos.
DC United's advantage lasted until the 78th minute when Harper used an assist from defender Kyle Duncan to score his fifth goal of the campaign and pull the Red Bulls into a tie. Duncan, who subbed in for midfielder Ronald Donkor in the 60th minute, notched his first assist of the season on the score.
Ryan Meara totaled three saves in his sixth start of the season for the Red Bulls, including the last five in a row. Meara surrendered just three goals through his first five starts.
Tyler Miller saved two shots for DC United, making all three of his starts this season in the last three matches.
DC United leads the all-time series 37-35-18.
The Red Bulls, who have won four in a row and are on an eight-match unbeaten streak at home in the series, have not lost in 13 home matches this season through all competitions. New York beat United 4-1 on the road on May 15.
DC United played without Christian Benteke, who was serving a one-match suspension after picking up a red card last week. Benteke has 14 goals this season, second only to Cristian "Chicho" Arango's 16 for Real Salt Lake.
DC United returns home to play FC Cincinnati on Wednesday. The Red Bulls hit the road to take on the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.