New York Red Bulls secured a 2-2 draw with DC United thanks to a last-minute equaliser from Ghanaian Lloyd Sam.

The right winger has been one of the stars of the nascent Major League Soccer season and his latest goal was his third effort in his opening four fixtures of the new campaign.

It’s little wonder that with the effective 30-year-old in such fine form, the Red Bulls sit second in the Eastern Conference, only two points behind their opponents on Sunday having played one game less.

These two rivals met at the RFK Stadium in a genuine top of the table clash in front of over 16,000 with both looking to assert their authority over the other.

They met as recently as March, when NYRB secured a 2-0 victory—with Sam again finding the net—but in their latest clash, DC United-featuring Ghanaian defender Kofi Opare at centre-back-were much improved offensively.

Indeed, they took the lead on 26 minutes when Perry Kitchen headed home a Taylor Kemp corner. They extended their advantage midway through the second half when Kitchen again beat Luis Robles, this time with a well-placed finish.

Jesse Marsch’s side, sensing imminent defeat, struck back, and responded immediately when centre-back Damien Perrinelle scored from a corner.

The home side had the chances to win it, but Sam emerged as the hero yet again.

The former Leeds United and Charlton Athletic man was first to react to a Bill Hamid spill and fired past the despairing keeper in the last minute.

Sam’s superb form in the States so far this season has prompted talk of a Ghana call-up, with the player himself admitting that he would be open to a return to the national-team set-up.