Harrison, NJ—–Elias Manoel scored a dramatic late goal to secure a 2-2 draw for the New York Red Bulls against Atlanta United at Red Bull Arena.
After missing a penalty in the 87th minute, Manoel redeemed himself by connecting with a cross from Julian Hall in the 97th minute, bringing the match level just before the final whistle.
Captain for the night, Daniel Edelman, emphasized the team’s resilience, saying, “I have faith in this team. We’ve got four games left, and the playoffs are within reach. We just need to keep digging deep. Some teams might fold in moments like this, but we’re still fighting, still pushing forward.”
Julian Hall’s assist made him the third-youngest player in MLS history to record one, and the youngest in club history to do so. Reflecting on his contribution, Hall said, “I always aim to make an impact. Whether it’s helping the team secure a win or providing a crucial goal, I just want to leave my mark every time I step on the field.”
Hall has now contributed to goals in back-to-back home matches.
New York opened the scoring in the first half when John Tolkin recovered a loose ball from a corner kick and set up Dante Vanzeir, who calmly slotted it into the net. Vanzeir now has three goal contributions in his last five MLS matches.
Tolkin’s assist was his first of the season and the 12th of his MLS career, tying him with Kyle Duncan for the most assists by a defender in franchise history. He also tied Jan Gunnar Solli for third-most MLS assists by a defender in club history.
Atlanta equalized with a stoppage-time penalty just before halftime. After Manoel’s missed penalty, Atlanta took the lead again with a spectacular goal from Edwin Mosquera. But Manoel’s last-minute equalizer ensured the points were shared.
Reflecting on the match, Head Coach Sandro Schwarz said, “Overall, I was very pleased with the performance. The team showed great mentality, and we even had a chance to grab three points at the end. I’m proud of the way the team fought today.”
The Red Bulls will return to Red Bull Arena for a rivalry clash against New York City FC on Saturday, September 28.