Tied Up in 'To

It's crazy to say it, but the day has arrived in MLS when teams playing at Toronto are satisfied escaping from BMO Field with a single point. Although the New York Red Bulls controlled the midfield, the club left the Great White North with that one point in last night's 1-1 draw with Toronto FC. Both goals were scored in the first half; Toronto's on a header by an unmarked Marco Velez off a free kick in the 22nd minute, and New York's on a curling, ground level free kick by midfielder Dave van den Burgh in the 39th.

The match saw the return to the New York lineup of two starters from injury; of D Hunter Freeman (full 90) and MF Dane Richards (last 35 minutes). Sadly and inevitably, though, captain Claudio Reyna came off the field with a "lower left leg" injury at halftime. Thankfully the club has nine days to heal before the annual trip to FC Goldenballs on Saturday the 10th.

The draw currently leaves the Red Bulls (2-1-2) in 6th place in the hyper-competitive East, but in 7th place on the league table. A rule change in the MLS offseason mandates at least three sides from each conference take part in the playoffs, so if the season ended today, New York would be on the outside looking in.

After the trip to LA, New York plays three of four in the friendly confines of Giants Stadium (KC, Chicago, Chivas) with a road trip to slow-starting Houston throw in.