D.C. United finds equalizer for a 1-1 draw with New England

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Veteran Federico Higuain scored as a second-half substitute for a second straight match, and D.C. United rallied for a 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution on Friday night.

New England missed out on a chance to book a spot in the knockout round of the MLS is Back tournament thanks to a defensive blunder midway through the second half.

Higuain was able to chase down an awful back-pass by New England defender Antonio Delamea. The pass was short and left New England goalkeeper Matt Turner out of position. Higuain got to the ball first, dribbled around Turner and scored his second goal of the tournament.

The draw left New England tied with Toronto FC on top of Group C with four points, while D.C. United earned its second straight draw. D.C. United (1-1-2) will close the group stage facing winless Montreal next Tuesday, while the Revolution close out against Toronto.

Adam Buksa gave New England (1-1-2) the lead early in the second half. Buska was first to react to a deflected shot and his header beat D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid in the 51st minute.

But New England’s attack was mostly missing after Buksa’s goal. Cristian Penilla had his breakaway shot saved by Hamid in the 61st minute, but most of the possession in the final 30 minutes belonged to D.C. United.

New England finished with 18 total shots but only five on goal. Hamid had four saves. D.C. United managed just six total shots and only three on goal.