Red Bulls use more late-game magic to quell Revolution

Aaron Long scored off a corner and a header in the 89th minute, and the New York Red Bulls engineered some late-game magic for a third consecutive contest to pull out a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution on Wednesday night in Harrison, N.J.

After last-minute goals helped the Red Bulls (8-8-5, 29 points) earn a draw in each of their last two matches, Long came through with another heroic moment. Off a strong corner drop from Kaku that found the head of Tim Parker, Long pounced the ball and, off the bounce, tapped in a shot that stunned the Revolution (7-6-8, 29 points) in the waning minutes of regulation.

While both sides are in good position to reach the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, New York is currently amid a 2-0-3 stretch. New England, meanwhile, has just one point over its last three matches.

In the first half each team managed just one official shot on goal apiece, but there was plenty of action in the opposition's attack third. The sides combined for five corners and 11 overall shots.

It was essentially more of the same in the second half for both squads. New York's Brian White, the star of the club's previous two matches, had two solid chances on and just after the 60-minute mark.

New England found itself in good position to break the scoreless tie through Adam Buksa in the 71st minute. However, Buksa was unable to get enough punch on his straightaway strike that rolled harmlessly into the hands of Red Bulls keeper Ryan Meara, who finished with two saves.

The Revs stepped up the pressure in the final seven minutes of the match, but to no avail.

The loss ended a 3-0-1 road stretch for the Revolution, which had a chance to clinch a postseason spot.