United dealt with wind, rain and a slick surface in New York but dug deep and stole a point in the Bronx after drawing New York City FC 1-1 Saturday evening at Yankee Stadium.
Steven Birnbaum scored his second goal of the season to put United ahead while goalkeeper Bill Hamid stood tall and made eight saves to preserve the draw. The Black-and-Red now sit five points away from the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with games still in hand.
New York opened the match controlling possession on their home field, but United did well to keep them outside the box and away from the middle of the pitch. The shots that did make it through were handled well by Hamid, who helped bail the backline out during times of trouble.
United’s Homegrown goalkeeper came up big in the 12th minute when Valentin Castallenos found space to shoot in the penalty area. Hamid anticipated the shot, exploded off his line, and jumped to tip the shot over the net and keep the game level.
The Black-and-Red broke through in the second half off a free kick from captain Wayne Rooney. With the ball set up roughly 30 yards out, Rooney launched a well-placed kick that found Birnbaum charging toward goal where he headed it past New York goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
New York would equalize, though, when David Villa’s free kick from just outside the penalty area curled only inches away from Hamid to make it 1-1 in the 86th minute.
Now the Black-and-Red return to the District for a seven-game homestand at Audi Field as they continue their push for the playoffs. United face Minnesota United FC on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 PM ET on WJLA 24/7 News and CW Richmond.
