Tim Cahill's header in the final seconds of stoppage time lifted New York to a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution on Saturday night, clinching a playoff berth for the Red Bulls.
New England (11-11-9) trailed, 1-0 until the last five minutes, getting a penalty kick from Lee Nguyen in the 85th minute and a breakaway goal from Diego Fagundez in the 90th.
During the closing seconds of stoppage time, Jonathan Steele lifted a free kick from the left side toward the goal for the Red Bulls (15-9-8) and Revolution keeper Matt Reis punched the ball in the air. Cahill headed it high from the middle of the box into the net for the tie. The Red Bulls are unbeaten in their last six games (4-0-2).
''I tried to push it nicely so I didn't hit it too hard,'' Cahill said. ''I wanted to have it sit nicely because I knew the keeper came out. I wanted to have a nice float in and be safe. I feel like it was definitely deserved.''
Fabian Espindola had scored an unassisted goal in the 14th minute as the Red Bulls held a 1-0 lead until the penalty kick by Nguyen, which was awarded for a hand ball on New York's Jamison Olave.
Olave said the ball hit his chest and showed mark of the ball on his jersey.
''You saw the replay, right?,'' Red Bulls goalie Luis Robles said. ''It hit his gigantic chest. Obviously it wasn't a penalty, but it didn't go our way that time.''
Espindola took advantage of a Revolution mistake to score his ninth goal of the season. New England's Scott Caldwell made a touch pass back to teammate A.J. Soares, but Espindola cut between them to steal the ball. The Argentine striker quickly cut into the middle and unleashed a low shot from just outside the box that beat Revolution keeper Matt Reis inside the right post.
Espindola's goal was the 100th overall for the Red Bulls in the series against New England, which has not beaten New York on the road since 2007, a span of nine games.
