Wed Jun 18 21:59:24 2008

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Ralston's equalizer helps Revs extend unbeaten run to 7 games

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Foxborough, MA (Sports Network) - The New York Red Bulls came within 10 minutes of earning their first win in New England since 2002 when the two Major League Soccer rivals squared off at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday night.

The visitors scored a first-half goal and held the lead late, but Steve Ralston scored the equalizer with just over 10 minutes to play to give the hosts a 1-1 draw, and the Revolution extended their current unbeaten streak to seven games (5-0-2).

New York took a first-half lead behind a Seth Stammler goal in the 37th minute and looked like a much more confident road team than this past Saturday when they where shellacked at D.C. United, 4-1.

The first half of Wednesday's game started with Eastern Conference leading New England (8-3-3) dominating the possession in the first half-hour before New York (4-4-4) came to life.

Dave van den Bergh, who switched from the midfield to left back for the game, played a perfect cross from the left side to the far post over the New England defense to Stammler, who volleyed the chance past Revs goalkeeper Matt Reis for the 1-0 lead.

It was Stammler's first goal of the season in his second game in a row wearing the captain's armband with the absences of both Claudio Reyna and Juan Pablo Angel because of injuries.

The Red Bulls came dangerously close to doubling their lead just before the break when Dane Richards took the ball into the Revs' penalty area and drew defenders toward him before dishing off to forward Oscar Echeverry, whose shot went just wide of the far post.

After looking lackadaisical for must of the second half, the Revs came to life with about 15 minutes to play. Ralston was able to get the equalizer when defender Jay Heaps played a great ball into the box to forward Kheli Dube, who played it back to Ralston, who fired home for his fourth goal of the season. It was the second straight week Dube has assisted on a Ralston goal.

New York goalkeeper Jon Conway, who made six saves in the draw, came up big in the closing minutes, saving a Ralston diving header in the box and denying Dube on the rebound to help his team earn the valuable road point.

Both teams will be back in action on Saturday, with the Red Bulls hosting FC Dallas and the Revs traveling to Real Salt Lake for MLS fixtures.