New York midfielder Joel Lindpere scored his second goal of the season in the Red Bulls’ 1-1 tie against the Chicago Fire Sunday afternoon at TOYOTA Park. With the result, the Red Bulls, currently in second place in the Eastern Conference and two points behind the Philadelphia Union, moved to 24 points off a 5-3-9 record. The Red Bulls also wrapped up an eight-day span which saw them play three consecutive road matches. They finish their four-game road trip in MLS action when they travel to California to face the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday, July 2 at Stanford Stadium (TV: ESPN2; Radio: WADO 1280 AM).
New York took the lead with five minutes left in the half. Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry, returning to the lineup after serving a one-game red card suspension, flicked the ball over the top to an on-rushing Lindpere. Chicago defender Yamith Cuesta tried to knock it out, but the ball hit off Lindpere and into the box. The Estonian got to it first and rolled it in with his right foot.
New York goalie Bouna Coundoul, who replaced Greg Sutton in goal after his bad outing Thursday in a 4-2 loss to Seattle Sounders FC, maintained the lead into the second half, when Marco Pappa equalized with his fifth goal of the season.
Pappa gained possession outside the area, settled the ball and fired a 25-yard shot toward the far post that bounced on the edge of the six-yard box and over Coundoul to find the left side of the net in the 58th minute of play.