Andres Reyes scored in the 49th minute as the New York Red Bulls rallied for a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United in the Loons’ home opener in snowy Saint Paul, Minn.
It was the first goal in three games for New York (0-1-2, 2 points). Carlos Coronel finished with two saves for the Red Bulls.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored for Minnesota United (1-0-1, 4 points). Dayne St. Clair finished with four saves for the Loons.
The contest started with 28-degree temperatures and snow flurries. The field was covered with several inches of snow except in the 18-yard boxes which were swept clear. It marked the third time in seven home openers that Minnesota United played in snow.
New York, shut out by Orlando City and Nashville in its first two games of the season, peppered the Minnesota goal early in the contest with midfielder Lewis Morgan hitting the post with a try in the first minute and then chipping another shot from the right side of the box past St. Clair but wide of the far post.
The Loons took a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute when Hlongwane put in a right-footed rebound of a Miguel Tapias header from the edge of the six-yard box into the left corner of the net for his first goal of the season and third of his career.
The Red Bulls tied it early in the second half when Reyes headed in a corner kick by John Tolkin inside the left post for the third goal of his career.
New York had a chance to take the lead in the 56th minute when Morgan broke in on a breakaway but St. Clair slid in front of the high right-footed try just inside the box.
Minnesota nearly took the lead in the 70th minute but Hassani Dotson’s right-footed try from the left side of the box deflected wide of the far post.
–Field Level Media
