Sporting KC was moments from an impressive road win. Then ... an equalizer & red card

There’s little margin for error if Sporting Kansas City is going to make a run at the playoffs over the last month-and-a-half of the MLS season — with six regular-season matches remaining after Saturday.

That may make Saturday’s result all the more frustrating, after Sporting conceded a tying goal in the 89th minute and saw defender Jake Davis sent off after receiving two yellow cards in a span of five minutes.

Sporting and the New York Red Bulls played to a 1-1 draw at Red Bull Arena. For a while, it appeared as though Sporting might make up some much-needed ground in the standings, beginning the day nine points back of playoff position.

But New York’s Julian Hall, who won’t turn 17 until next March, scored the tying goal after two Sporting players couldn’t close him down in the box. His low shot found the left side of the net, freezing goalkeeper Tim Melia, whose momentum was carrying him the other way.

After neither team could find the net in the first half, Davis and Alan Pulido connected for a skillful goal to open the scoring in the 55th minute.

Davis chipped a pass over the back line of the defense. Pulido, who had streaked between two defenders and into the box, controlled the pass with his head and guided it toward his left foot. He volleyed a shot past goalkeeper Ryan Meara for a 1-0 lead.

While first-half possession was split right down the middle, the Red Bulls controlled much more of the ball in the second period. They finished with 11 shots (seven in the second half) and had nearly 70% possession over the final 45 minutes plus stoppage time.

Also of note: Sporting’s Dany Rosero subbed out late in the first half due to injury.

Sporting, now with 7 wins, 14 losses, 7 draws on the season, returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 15, against the Seattle Sounders.