Bradley Wright-Phillips scored off a spectacular bicycle kick. (Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports)
HARRISON, N.J. — In a matter of five days, the Red Bulls’ performance went from night to day.
In contrast to their 3-1 horror show of a home defeat to the LA Galaxy, they showed their resiliency and desire in an entertaining 1-1 draw against the best team in Major League Soccer.
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored a spectacular goal and Luis Robles made a well, spectacular save on a penalty kick by Toronto FC’s Jozy Altidore at Red Bull Arena.
The Red Bulls (5-6-2, 17 points) snapped their losing streak at three games, while Toronto FC (7-1-5, 26) saw its six-game winning streak come to an end.
Wright-Phillips connected for MLS career goal No. 74 in memorable fashion in 38th minute.
U.S. international midfielder Michael Bradley set up the scoring sequence after he received a yellow card for fouling Fredrik Gulbrandsen.
Captain Sacha Kljestan took a free kick from the left side, which went to Gulbrandsen on the right side. The Norwegian headed the ball the ball to the far post where BWP took a spectacular bicycle kick into the left corner past goalkeeper Alexander Bono for his fifth goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
While the game was end-to-end action, goal-scoring opportunities were rare on a warm May night at RBA.
Bono made a save in the 16th minute, denying Gulbrandsen off a counterattack.
Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles had to wait until the 47th minute to make his first save as he caught Justin Morrow’s shot from just outside the box with his stomach.
Toronto equalized in the 70th minute after New York’s Panamanian international right back Michael Amir Murillo was assessed a yellow card for unsporting behavior.
From the right side, Steven Beitashour sent in a free kick to Chris Mavinga, who redirected the ball to Benoit Cheyrou at the far side. Cheyrou then scored his first MLS goal, nodding the ball to the right side while Robles was sliding in the other direction.
Robles kept the Red Bulls afloat with a penalty-kick save in the 81st minute after the visitors were awarded a the spot kick after Damien Perrinelle was called for a foul in the box for knocking down Tosaint Ricketts.
Former Red Bulls striker Jozy Altidore took the penalty, but Robles guessed right, diving to his left to knock the ball away and keep the scoreboard frozen at 1-1.
Three minutes later, Ricketts had an opportunity to give Toronto FC the lead, but his hard shot kissed off the crossbar.
In the waning minutes, Ricketts had a goal called back on an offside call, after he slotted home a rebound of a Robles save. That call saved a point for the hosts.
