Injury time goal by Red Bulls allows for 2-2 tie with Crew
HARRISON, N.J. (AP) -- Defender Jamison Olave blasted home a shot in the opening minute of injury time and the New York Red Bulls tied the Columbus Crew 2-2 Sunday to extend their unbeaten streak to seven games, the longest in 10 years.
Thierry Henry also scored for the Red Bulls, who are 5-0-2 in their best run since 2003.
Frederico Higuain appeared to give Columbus the game winner on a penalty in the 74th minute.
However, Olave settled a crossing pass by Jonathan Steele in the box and ripped a shot high into the left corner. Dominic Oduro also scored for the Crew, who are 0-3-3 in their last six games against the Red Bulls.
Crew goaltender Andy Gruenebaum seemed to preserve a win in the 83rd minute, stopping a bullet shot by Juninho from the top of the box. Minutes later Kevan George cleared a header by Olave off the goal line following a corner kick and a collision that left two Columbus players on the pitch.
Higuain's third goal of the season was not without controversy. Eddie Gaven centered a pass that Justin Meram took in stride in the box and then seemed to flub his shot. As the ball popped into the air, Kosuke Kimura knocked Meram down and referee Geoff Gamble pointed to the penalty spot.
Higuain ripped a shot that Red Bulls goaltender Luis Robles had not chance to stop.
Henry had tied the game at 1-all in the 31st minute on a mistake by George, who was making his first start. Tim Cahill, who scored a late game-winning goal against on May 4, sent a long pass from midfield that George went up to head and missed. Henry ran onto the ball and deftly chipped it over Gruenebaum when the goaltender came out to face him one-on-one.
Columbus took the lead in the second minute after a poor clearing header by Olave. Gaven intercepted the ball at the top of the box and Oduro seemingly took the ball off his teammate's boot. He avoided a tackle by Olave, fought off a shoulder challenge by Markus Holgersson and slid the ball past a sliding Robles for his team-high sixth goal.
Unfortunately for the Crew, Oduro injured his right thigh on the goal when Robles slid into him and he left the game six minutes later.