Red Bulls 1 - 1 Earthquakes
Final
  for this game

Earthquakes, Red Bulls battle to draw

Jul 28, 2008 - 3:04 AM SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- Darren Huckerby scored his first MLS goal as the San Jose Earthquakes battled to a 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday.

Making his debut at charged-up Buck Shaw Stadium, Huckerby gave the fans something to cheer about in the 13th minute when he banged a rebound past goalkeeper Jon Conway to level the contest.

Huckerby, who played in over 200 matches for Norwich City of the English Premier League from 2003-08, joined the Earthquakes earlier this month on a transfer fee. The forward was playing in his second game with the Earthquakes on Sunday.

"The competition is good. Everyone is very athletic. Everyone looks after themselves," Huckerby said. "Technically, it might not be as good here as in the UK. The Premier League is the best league in the world so that's just one of those things."

While Huckerby provided a positive, the Earthquakes continued to struggle as they fell to 0-3-5 in their last eight matches. The club has not won since a 2-0 triumph over Columbus on June 7.

The Earthquakes did have opportunities to break their long drought as they pressed the play, finishing with 14 total shots. But they also were unable to convert any of their nine corner kicks.

"Overall, our performance was excellent," San Jose coach Frank Yallop said. "I felt really happy with the spirit and the togetherness and the creation of chances."

The one time the Earthquakes found the back of the net was a time they wish they hadn't. In the fourth minute, Eric Denton knocked the ball off his head and past Joe Cannon for an own goal, allowing the Red Bulls to take a 1-0 lead.

New York, which managed two shots in the first half and nine overall, dropped to 0-2-4 in its last six games.

"I think we didn't deserve the early goal and apparently that took us by surprise," Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "Then they got back into the game and it became an even game. I think in the second half we had better control with our counterattacks."






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