New York Red Bulls advance with draw; Portland Timbers rally to stay alive

A goalless draw againstAntiguaon Tuesdaywas enough for theNew York Red Bullsto clinch top spot in Group F of the CONCACAF Champions League and book passage to the knockout round.

Jesse Marsch took a strong side to Guatemala, but the Guatemalan hosts proved a tough out for the Eastern Conference leaders in Major League Soccer.

Knowing a draw was enough to advance, New York sat back and ceded 60 percent of the possession to Antigua. The tactic worked as the Red Bulls defense and goalkeeper Luis Robles kept a clean sheet despite 10 shots against and three on goal.

ThePortland Timbersstaged a late two-goal rally to beatCD Dragon2-1 and stay alive in its quest to make the knockout rounds.

Kevin Melara scored in the 54th minute for the hosts and Caleb Porter's team looked like it was on the way out of the competition.

However, a 79th minute Fanendo Adi goal and a Darlington Nagbe injury-time winner from a free kick put the Timbers within a point of Group B leaders Saprissa, who Portland faces on Oct. 19 to determine which team advances.