Harrison, N.J. – The New York Red Bulls rallied behind a 90th-minute equalizer from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to earn a 2-2 draw against Minnesota United Saturday night at Sports Illustrated Stadium, with chaotic scenes unfolding in the final moments as head coach Sandro Schwarz was shown a red card.
The Red Bulls took an early lead in the 11th minute when Choupo-Moting cut through Minnesota’s defence and was fouled by goalkeeper Wessel Speel before the ball fell to Emil Forsberg, who calmly slotted it into the empty net as the referee played advantage; Speel was injured in the collision and had to be substituted, with Alec Smir coming on in his place.
Minnesota pulled level in the 32nd minute thanks to a well-placed finish from Kelvin Yeboah. Joaquín Pereyra sparked the move with a cheeky rainbow flick over Felipe Carballo before threading a pass into Yeboah, who weaved between two Red Bulls defenders and fired a low-driven shot into the bottom left corner past Carlos Coronel.
Minnesota took the lead just before halftime, capitalizing on a poorly defended long throw-in. Michael Boxall’s throw found the unmarked head of Jefferson Diaz, who flicked it into the path of Anthony Markanich. Markanich took a touch off his chest and calmly finished past Coronel to make it 2-1 to the visitors.
The Red Bulls controlled much of the second half, holding 66 percent possession and registering 13 shots. The hosts finally broke through in the 90th minute, as Kyle Duncan played a well-timed cross setting up Choupo-Moting, who finished with a deft toe poke over Smir to level the score.
Chaotic scenes unfolded at the end of the match as the home side launched a late counterattack in search of a last-second winner. However, referee Ricardo Montero blew the final whistle, ending the match before the Red Bulls could capitalize. Frustrated by the decision, head coach Sandro Schwarz stormed onto the field to protest and was promptly shown a red card.
After being shown a red card for entering the field at the final whistle, Schwarz explained his actions by saying, “I wanted to tell him it was a great performance. Such a great performance,” he said sarcastically. “You’re not allowed to criticize the referee, so what can I say?”
Despite the dramatic finish, the draw extends the Red Bulls’ winless run to three matches, leaving them in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. They’ll look to regroup and get back in the win column when they travel to face the San Jose Earthquakes on July 5.
