CHESTER, Pa. -- Led by furious second-half efforts from Chris Pontius and C.J. Sapong, the resilient Union erased a two-goal deficit to draw the New York Red Bulls, 2-2, on Sunday night at raucous Talen Energy Stadium.
After allowing two goals, getting out-possessed 57.5 to 42.5 percent in a dreadful first half, the Union came alive in the 66th minute, thanks to Keegan Rosenberry. From the right side, the MLS All-Star placed a perfect cross that caused Red Bulls defender Damien Perrinelle to haul down Pontius from behind.
On the ensuing penalty kick, Sapong ripped his shot to the right of Luis Robles, cutting the visitors' lead in half, 2-1. More importantly, the goal lit a fire under the Union that didn’t extinguish until the final whistle.
With Talen Energy Stadium still roaring, the hosts tied the game just a minute later, when Fabian Herbers broke the Red Bulls down on the right side and placed a right-footed cross. The low ball was dummied by Sapong before rolling to Pontius on the far post for the easy finish, locking the match at two.
But the Union’s momentum ran out in the 72nd minute, when Ilsinho was fouled from behind by Connor Lade. The Brazilian raised his left arm and came in contact with Lade’s face, earning the straight red card and ejection, putting the Union down a man for the final 20 minutes.
Paced by Barnetta, the Union continued to control play, but were unable to find a third goal.
Although disappointing from a standings perspective, the draw was a success, keeping the Union, now 8-6-6 with 30 points, ahead of the Red Bulls, now 8-9-4 with 28 points, in the Eastern Conference.
Sacha Kljestan opened scoring for the Red Bulls in the 27th minute, after an egregious turnover from Ken Tribbett in his own territory found Bradley Wright-Phillips, who pushed a pass for Kljestan for the easy goal.
The Red Bulls doubled their advantage in the 43rd minute when an Ilsinho foul led to a free kick at the top of the Union box. Lining up, Kljestan fired off a shot that tipped off Tranquillo Barnetta and froze Andre Blake before falling in.
