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New England Revolution

Kenny Mansally's 90th-minute goal helps the Revs grab a point on the road against rival Red Bulls

March 28, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Kenny Mansally scored the game-tying goal in the 90th minute and goalkeeper Brad Knighton made three saves in his first career start to help the visiting New England Revolution earn a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night at Giants Stadium.

Knighton earned the start because first-choice goalkeeper Matt Reis was a late scratch from the game-day roster because of soreness and swelling in his right knee. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent prior to the 2007 season, Knighton spent the last two years as the third-choice goalkeeper before earning the backup role for 2009.

For the second straight week, New England (1-0-1, 4 pts.) was missing several starters because of injury and was only able to dress 17 players. In addition to Reis, Taylor Twellman (neck pain), Steve Ralston (R quad strain), Gabriel Badilla (lower back sprain/R achilles tendinitis) and Mauricio Castro (L hamstring strain) were all unavailable with the same injuries that forced them to miss the season opener, while Chris Albright (R ankle sprain) was added to the injury list ahead of the match.

The Red Bulls (0-1-1, 1 pt.) had a slight advantage in early possession and created the first real chance in the 12th minute, but Macoumba Kandji's shot from the right side of the box was denied by Knighton.

New England didn't seriously threaten to score until the 29th minute, when the visiting side began controlling possession and created a string of chances in a five-minute span. The first opportunity of the flurry was the best, as Shalrie Joseph surged through midfield before slipping a pass inside to Wells Thompson, whose low shot from just inside the box was kicked away by New York goalkeeper Danny Cepero.

It was the Red Bulls who took the lead in the 35th minute, however, via an own goal by Revolution defender Jay Heaps. Kandji laid a pass off to former Revs midfielder Khano Smith in the left side of the box, and the Bermudan's low cross struck Heaps and slipped inside the near post.

The Revolution made one change at halftime, bringing on defender Amaechi Igwe for midfielder Sainey Nyassi, who left the game after a pre-existing left hamstring injury flared up. Igwe took over at left back, pushing Chris Tierney into the left midfield position and forcing Thompson to right midfield.

New England pushed for the equalizer throughout the second half but didn't find the back of the net until the 90th minute. Joseph lifted a pass over the top of the Red Bulls defense and Cepero charged off his line, but Mansally reached the ball first and guided a header inside the left post.

The Red Bulls thought that they grabbed a late winner in injury time, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

After playing their first two matches of 2009 on the road, the Revs will open their home schedule next Saturday, April 4, when they host FC Dallas at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium.

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