For the second consecutive game, a late goal by Juan Pablo Angel saved the New York Red Bulls from a disappointing loss at home. The Colombian's 80th minute penalty kick not only earned the Red Bulls a 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake Saturday at Giants Stadium, but it also set a new single-season club record for goals scored.
After falling behind 2-1 five minutes earlier on a goal by Kyle Beckerman, the Red Bulls pressed for the equalizer and got it after Seth Stammler was tripped up by Carey Talley after an attempt at goal.
Referee Alex Prus pointed to the spot and Angel stepped up, blasting his 17th goal of the season over Nick Rimando's right shoulder. Angel passed fellow Colombian Adolfo Valencia on the all-time list, who scored 16 goals in 2000.
The Red Bulls could have booked their ticket to the playoffs with a win and some help. Instead, New York settles for a third consecutive tie and have just one win in their last seven games.
Real Salt Lake jumped in front on 22 minutes when Chris Wingert's cross found an unmarked Chris Brown, whose glancing, diving header bounced on the turf and eluded Ronald Waterreus inside the near post.
Angel had ample opportunities in the first 45 minutes to set the record. Seven minutes in, he had a pair of chances, but he headed Joe Vide's long cross off the top netting and then Rimando pushed away his low shot for a corner kick.
Dema Kovalenko, who put a left-footed shot over the bar in the 13th minute, found an unmarked Angel near the top left of the 18-yard box. But the former Aston Villa striker's first-time shot missed the target in the 18th minute.
Yura Movsisyan could have put RSL up by two goals, but he couldn't connect on an open shot inside the six-yard box in the 36th minute.
A minute later, Rimando fumbled Kovalenko's cross, but the Red Bulls couldn't capitalize.
Several close calls ensued, as in the 40th minute, New Jersey native Alecko Eskandarian put the ball just wide from distance and one minute before halftime, Angel was stopped from point-blank range again. Rimando then made a diving save on a Kovalenko attempt.
Bruce Arena made one change at the half, bringing on Clint Mathis for Joe Vide, which moved Kovalenko to play centrally.
Francis Doe equalized with his second goal in as many games in the 49th minute. Angel flicked on Dave van den Bergh's pass to Doe, who took on Real Salt Lake defender Matias Mantilla. After dribbling inside, Doe took Mantilla outside and then went back across the goal to beat Rimando with a low shot inside the far post.
Van den Bergh found space down the left side, but Rimando saved his attempt from 14 yards out in the 69th minute. The Red Bulls had an appeal for a penalty kick in the 73rd minute, when Dane Richards went to the turf to the left of the goal after being pushed from behind by Willis Forko. But Prus waved play on.
Arena made his second change on 58 minutes, replacing an injured Claudio Reyna with Carlos Mendes, who has been out of the lineup since August 25 when his own goal resulted in a 2-1 loss at New England. Reyna suffered a left toe sprain.
Jason Kreis made his first change in the 61st minute, bringing on Fabian Espindola for Brown and three minutes later Arena made his final substitution, bringing on Jozy Altidore for Doe. It was Altidore's first appearance since the Aug. 25 game at Gillette Stadium.
Altidore nearly became the hero, but his low shot was wide of the far post two minutes from full time. Angel beat Rimando in the second minute of stoppage time, but the goal was waved off because he received the ball in an offside position.
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
