Red Bulls tie up Revolution

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Revolution again followed a soccer formula for success last night, earning an away tie with the New York Red Bulls. But after squandering advantages provided by Taylor Twellman goals in the 22d and 70th minutes, the Revolution felt the result was unjust, caused by their own errors and miscommunication.

The result also cost the Revolution (13-6-7, 46 points) a chance to pull within a point of Eastern Conference leader D.C. United and continued a tendency of giving up leads this season.

Twellman, who has 14 goals this season and 89 in his MLS career, fifth on the all-time list, left the match during added time with a groin injury. His status has not been determined for the Revolution-Colorado match next Saturday

The Red Bulls (11-10-5, 38 points) tied the score on goals by Francis Doe (37th minute) and Juan Pablo Angel (84th), their second goal following a mixup between defenders Avery John and Michael Parkhurst.

"That was schoolboy defending," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "It was a 60-yard ball and two defenders going for the ball. You see it in the park every Saturday morning. It was a good finish, but at that stage of the game you have to expect balls coming in like that."

After Twellman's second goal, the Red Bulls brought in Jozy Altidore and Clint Mathis, going to a three-defender alignment, the Revolution switching to a 4-4-2 alignment with James Riley replacing Andy Dorman. And the Red Bulls' gamble paid off as Dave van den Bergh launched the ball for Doe, who won a header in between John and Parkhurst, Angel running on and slotting past Matt Reis. Angel, who has 16 goals in 20 games this season, scored for the first time in three games against the Revolution.

"I went up for the ball and I didn't know Avery was there," Parkhurst said. "We always try to talk to each other, but this was miscommunication on our part. It was difficult, they were throwing five and six guys at us, but we still should have closed the game out."

The Red Bulls started the match strong, creating a goal area chance off the opening kickoff on a right-wing advance by Dane Richards. The Revolution adjusted and took control. Twellman earned two free kicks in a minute and converted off the second, Steve Ralston curling a kick toward the penalty spot for Twellman to head past Ronald Wattereus.

But the Red Bulls then went on a spree. Claudio Reyna found Dema Kovalenko for an 18-yard shot (35th), saved by Reis and Seth Stammler's one-timer off a corner (36th) cleared off the line by Parkhurst. Then, Richards dodged John in the penalty area and went to the end line before chipping a cross to the near post for Doe to volley past Parkhurst and Reis.

"We should have won, but getting a point here keeps our [two-game] unbeaten run going," John said. "We did have a problem with communication, but it doesn't happen often. One or two mistakes cost us the win."

Both teams' passing improved on the artificial turf in the second half, lessening the amount of counters off turnovers.

Twellman's second goal was a solo move after the Red Bulls failed to clear a ball played to Khano Smith on the left wing. The ball ricocheted to Twellman near the penalty arc, Twellman chesting down and running on to slam the shot off the inside of the left post, leaving Wattereus no chance of saving.

"What we spoke about at halftime was on that field, it's all about the dirty work - winning challenges, tracking runners, clearing your lines," said Nicol. "All the crappy things about the game and it's about doing them well. If you don't do them well, on that surface, it causes problems.

"We're disappointed we didn't get the three points. It wasn't a particularly great performance and we weren't great in possession. It's a good result on the road but being 2-1 up and giving it away is disappointing. Hopefully, it's a good lesson for us."