Union snatch tie in Colorado with late Brian Carroll goal

In a game of conference leaders, the Union were able to salvage a point on a late goal by an improbable scorer.

Midfielder Brian Carroll, known for his defensive prowess, scored a goal in second half stoppage time as the Union salvaged a 1-1 tie in Colorado against the host Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Saturday night

It was another moment of late-game magic for the Union, after Richie Marquez scored his first ever MLS goal in a dramatic 1-0 win over D.C. United on May 20.

Carroll's goal was his first since scoring in a 3-1 win over Chivas USA, on July 12, 2013.

"To come out with high spirits like this on a high note getting a late goal to tie it and take home some more points is great for our confidence, and now we just have to handle business at home," Carroll told reporters afterward.

Defender Ray Gaddis fed rookie Fabian Herbers, who headed to Carroll. Crashing the goal, Carroll scored on a volley inside the far post, just under a sliding Zac MacMath.

The Union (5-3-5, 20 points) have now extended their unbeaten string to seven games, going 2-0-5 in that span. They hold a one-point lead with one game in hand over the second-place New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference.

Colorado (8-2-4, 28 points) had hit the cross bar three times before finally scoring in the 87th minute on a goal by Sam Cronin.

The Rapids are now 6-0-1 at home and lead FC Dallas by a point in the Western Conference.

The Union return to action on Wednesday when they host the Columbus Crew at Talen Energy Stadium. It is their last game before Major League Soccer takes a break for the group stage of the Copa América Centenario.