Houston Dynamo tie New York Red Bulls on Brad Davis penalty kick

Brad Davis ties it up. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 4, 2014) With the World Cup winding down and both teams back at full strength, the Houston Dynamo and New York Red Bulls battled to a two-all tie in front of 22,315 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday, July 4, 2014.

The Dynamo wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, when forward Giles Barnes nailed a shot past New York Red Bull goalkeeper Luis Robles 40 seconds into the game to take an early lead.

The Red Bull came back and tied the score in the 13^th minute when forward Bradley Wright-Phillips deftly slipped the ball past goalkeeper Tally Hall.

The score remained tied at halftime with neither team able to gain an advantage on the pitch.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

The Red Bulls pulled out to a 2-1 lead in the 72^nd minute when Wright-Phillips scored his second goal of the game off a pass by defender Ambroise Oyongo Bitlol.

Brad Davis, fresh off his appearance for the United States in the World Cup, nailed a penalty kick in the 82^nd minute to tie the score and secure one point for the Dynamo.

With the tie, the Dynamo raises their 2014 season record to 5-10-3 (18 points).

In 20 meetings against the Red Bulls, Houston has posted four wins against nine losses and seven ties.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

Wright-Phillips’ two goals against the Dynamo raised his count to five versus Houston in 2014.

In their last match prior to their Fourth of July holiday game, New York downed the Dynamo 4-0 on April 23, with Wright-Phillips scoring three goals to lead all scorers.

With the tie, Houston ends a five-game losing streak and will next play Montreal on July 12 on the road.