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Red Bulls, Revolution settle for draw

Apr 20, 2008 - 3:26 AM EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New York Red Bulls were close to finally breaking through in the series until Jeff Larentowicz made his presence felt.

Larentowicz scored a goal to level the contest as the New England Revolution rallied to tie the Red Bulls, 1-1, on Saturday.

New York entered the contest looking for its first win in the series since the 2005 campaign. The streak spanned eight games and dates back to when the franchise was called the MetroStars.

Jozy Altidore got the Red Bulls going in 30th minute when he raced past Larentowicz and Amaechie Igwe on a dribble before blasting an impressive 17-yard shot past the outstretched arms of New England goalkeeper Matt Reis for a 1-0 lead.

"We try to exploit the defenders, and on the goal, I found myself beating two defenders to the ball and taking a good shot that beat their keeper," Altidore said. "There was a ton of space there and I went at the guys and I knew their strengths and weaknesses and had a good shot."

It was the 19-year-old Altidore's first tally of the season. He scored 12 goals in 30 appearances as a rookie.

Larentowicz responded in the 56th minute with a free-kick tally that split the line of defenders and squeezing past New York netminder Jon Conway despite being down a man.

"There was a lot of traffic up front and I think it was tough for the goalie to see it and I just put it right through there," Larentowicz said. "It's so close, you're not going to be able to go up and over the wall. There's more of a chance to be more accurate with the inside of the foot for the placement shot. When it's that tough for the goalie to see the ball, you got to put it in a spot."

"I promised my wife that I would not talk about the referees," New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio said. "I am disappointed at the wall and I think that we had enough numbers in the wall, but it's an inside shot, not even instep. It wasn't a hard shot, it was down low, and if I had been standing in the wall, I would have put my face through the ball and that's what I expect from my players and they know that."

In 46th minute, Mauricio Castro was ejected after picking up a red card for hitting Red Bulls' Kevin Goldthwaite in the groin area, leaving the Revolution down to 10 men for the final 44 minutes.

Goldthwaite retaliated by stepping on Castro's leg, but only received a yellow card for his actions.

"I couldn't tell you what happen from my view, but what I don't understand is why is it that one man gets kicked off and with the other man standing over him, he only gets a yellow card."

New York was also shorthanded as striker Juan Pablo Angel did not return after intermission after sustaining a left hamstring strain. He was replaced by John Wolyniec.

"I think it's hard to talk about Juan Pablo's injury, because it's a complicated injury," Osorio said.

Altidore had an opportunity to gave the Red Bulls the win when he got inside the box, but his eight-yard shot was stopped by Reis in the 88th minute.