Sporting Kansas City draws 1-1 with New York Red Bulls

Toni Dovale got his first MLS goal after a flurry of chances for Sporting Kansas City in the first half, but New York clawed back to tie the match as it ended 1-1.

It was Sporting KC's fourth straight match without a win, but it did end New York's three game losing streak.

The home side was off to the races early when they got one of their many early chances in the second minute. Igor Juliao sped into the box with the ball, catching the Red Bull defense off its guard. The defender then successfully chipped the ball over the New York keeper but the shot was cleared off the line at the last second.

A couple of minutes later, Sporting Kansas City were back on the attack as Seth Sinovic sent in a long throw into the box. Toni got his head on it and snapped it hard towards the far post but this shot was also cleared off the line.

Benny Feilhaber got in on the barely-missing action in the next minute when he sent a free kick over the wall and towards goal from about 20 yards out. The curler hit off the bar, however, and the match was still level.

Finally, Sporting Kansas City got their goal in the 9th minute. Toni dribbled through a couple of defenders just outside the box and lined up a left-footed beauty that curled in for his first MLS goal. After so many early chances, Sporting Kansas City finally led, 1-0.

They would keep that lead going into the half but New York started to even out the match later in the half, equaling out the possession and chances. Sporting KC held a precarious 1-0 lead at the break.

It wouldn't be long in the second half before the away side evened it up. In the 50th minute, Thierry Henry drove the ball up the middle and sent a beautiful through ball to Bradley Wright-Phillips, who just managed to stay onside. He was one-on-one with Kronberg and finished coolly to equalize. It was his 11th of the year, gaining sole possession of the MLS lead.

The two teams would continue to attack with both getting good chances in the second half. In the 67th minute, Thierry Henry took a ball off a corner and fired it far post from 18 yards out, forcing a diving save from Kronberg. New York was gaining the upper hand after their goal.

Sporting KC would get one more chance in the 79th minute when Toni dribbled in the box and pulled back to shoot a rocket at Robles. Robles had to make a fantastic save to keep this ball out of the net.

Neither team was able to score anymore goals as the game ended with a 1-1 draw. Sporting KC is back in action Saturday in Washington for a bout with DC United.