2012 MLS Cup Playoffs: Red Bulls And DCU Battle To Bizarre Series-Opening 1-1 Draw

At Washington:

Bill Hamid's own goal in the 65th minute enabled the New York Red Bulls to gain a 1-1 road draw with DC United in the opening match of their Major League Soccer Eastern Conference semifinal series, a game that was originally set to be played at Harrison, New Jersey, but moved to the nation's capital due to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy (the return match will be played on Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena).  Red Bulls defender Roy Miller scored an own goal in the 61st minute that gave DC a short-lived 1-0 advantage.

In the 71st minute, DCU's right back Andy Najar, who  had just been booked on a hard challenge to the Red Bulls' Joel Lindpere, threw the ball at referee Jair Maffuro and was issued a second yellow card and was ejected, forcing the hosts to play the rest of the match with ten men.  He will miss the return match on Wednesday in New Jersey.