• Recap
• Bleachers

Brown's late goal helps Real Salt Lake draw with Red Bulls

May 6, 2007 - 7:57 AM SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- Real Salt Lake reserve Chris Brown made the most of his limited opportunities Saturday night.

The veteran midfielder scored an improbable game-tying goal in the second minute of stoppage time, bringing RSL from behind to salvage a stunning draw with the undefeated New York Red Bulls.

New York (3-0-2) led for nearly the entire game after getting on the board in the game's 12th minute, and held a two-goal advantage as late as the 90th minute.

But RSL midfielder Carey Talley took an elbow to the face courtesy of New York defender Jeff Parke, giving Salt Lake a penalty kick - and an outside shot at pulling off a miracle.

"We knew we could battle back," Salt Lake midfielder Chris Klein said. "We didn't know it was going to be in extra time, but we knew our team had heart and had a lot of emotion. I think what we did tonight is a reflection of the type of team you'll see for the rest of the season."

Jeff Cunningham, the league's leading goal scorer last season, delivered, punching it past New York reserve keeper Jon Conway to pull his club to within 3-2.

Still, only a few minutes remained for Real Salt Lake (0-2-3) to make up the one-goal deficit.

Brown, who entered in the 63rd minute, did not waste any time. After taking a pass from forward Freddy Adu, Brown created just enough separation from his defender and rifled a 20-yarder off the left goalpost and into the net for the equalizer.

"I saw an opening, and I usually don't hit a lot of balls with my left foot," Brown said. "But I said, why not? I let it go and found the side of the net. With my left, it's either really good or really bad, and that one came off good."

It was a wild debut for new RSL coach Jason Kreis, the MLS' all-time leading goal scorer who retired earlier this week to take over the club.

"We tied the first game of the year, and we all walked away feeling as if we'd lost," Kreis said. "Now we tied this game, and we feel as if we've won. And to be honest, we should. When you come back from a two-goal deficit, it's a huge boost to everyone's mentality."

His team withstood two goals and an assist from Red Bulls forward Clint Mathis, who was once the centerpiece of the fledgling Real franchise in its first season before being dealt after just one disappointing season.

Mathis' second goal of the game, in the 83rd minute, looked like it would ice the victory for the Red Bulls, who had not allowed a goal all season coming into the game.

"It felt great until the last five minutes when we fell apart and gave up two points," Mathis said. "It's disappointing to see our team play so well for 85 minutes and then give it away like that."