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Red Bulls hold off Rapids

Jul 9, 2007 - 3:27 AM COMMERCE CITY, Colorado (Ticker) -- The New York Red Bulls ended their winless streak at the expense of the Colorado Rapids.

John Wolyniec's second goal of the season in the 19th minute proved to be the difference as the Red Bulls beat the Rapids, 1-0, to snap a four-game winless streak.

Furthermore, the win vaulted New York into first place in the Eastern Conference.

"It's such a game of confidence, we spoke about after the last game. Small things can change a team, for example, tonight we went from fifth to first place," New York midfielder Claudio Reyna said.

Ronald Waterreus made two saves en route to the shutout and survived several close calls.

The Rapids appeared to have the tying goal in the 72nd minute, but Jovan Kirovski's blast - which had clearly beat Waterreus - bounced off the crossbar.

The Rapids collapsed on the New York net during six-plus minutes of stoppage time, putting together two scoring threats.

One chance was turned away when New York defender Jeff Parke cleared a potentially dangerous centering pass. Then, in the closing seconds, Colorado's Jacob Peterson headed a crossing pass off the left post.

With the win, New York (7-5-3) avenged 1-0 loss to Colorado in May.

"I'm the first to tell you that (our record is) not good enough, it has to get better, however you look at it, it could be a heck of a lot worse," New York coach Bruce Arena said. "We haven't played well, we have 15 more games to play better."

The Rapids (4-8-5) are winless in their last eight games (0-6-2) and haven't won since May 26. The team has scored only three goals in its past eight games and has scored two goals in a game only twice this season.

"I would be concerned if we weren't even getting close, but we are all over the place, we just cannot finish," Colorado coach Fernando Clavijo said. "Goals come in bundles or they don't and right now they don't."