Barklage hero before record Red Bulls crowd

Barklage guided NY Red Bulls to their win over his old club United

HARRISON, N.J.    ●    Defender Brandon Barklage knocked in the first two goals of his MLS career Sunday night, leading the New York Red Bulls into a first-place tie with D.C. United with a 3-2 win before a franchise record crowd of 25,187.

Barklage, waived by United after the 2011 season and picked up by New York shortly thereafter, put the Red Bulls up 2-1 in the second minute of first-half stoppage time with his second goal of the half.

Lurking on the right side, Barklage put in a one-time volley after Rafa Marquez’s free kick. D.C.’s Robbie Russell had brought down Mehdi Ballouchy just outside the box, and Marquez’s resulting kick caromed off the wall for Barklage to put home.

D.C. forward Chris Pontius scored the team’s fastest goal in team history 31 seconds into the match off a header.