Sports

Red Bulls vault into first-place tie with 3-2 rally past rival DC

In front of a record crowd, the Red Bulls got a resounding win against Eastern Conference-leading archrival D.C. United. Defender Brandon Barklage notched a brave against his former team and Jan Gunnar Solli got the eventual winner in a come-from-behind 3-2 victory before a record crowd of 25,187 at Red Bull Arena.

The Red Bulls improved to 9-4-3 and vaulted into a tie with rival D.C. atop the Eastern Conference standings at 30 points with a game in hand.

They spotted United (9-5-3, 30 pts.) an early lead, when Danny Cruz lofted a ball into the box to Chris Pontius for a header in the very first minute. But Roy Miller earned a 20th minute corner, and Barklage connected with Joel Lindpere’s outswinger in mid-air for his first career goal.

He made it a brace against his former club two minutes into the second half. Rafa Marquez took a free kick that deflected off United’s wall. It fell near Barklage, who hit it on a full volley from outside the right corner of the box and into the far corner of the net. Solli made it 3-1 with his first MLS goal in the 55th minute.

D.C. pulled one back on Pontius’ second tally of the night, but the Red Bulls held on. They play Saturday at Toronto FC (7 p.m., MSG), then kick off a three-game homestand vs. Seattle at 4 p.m. July 15.