DENVER (AP) – Defender Marcelo Balboa scored with seven minutes left in regulation to lift the Colorado Rapids into a 1-1 tie with the New York-New Jersey MetroStars on Saturday.

Rapids midfielder John Spencer's backward pass set up Balboa's 20th MLS goal.

MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard made a diving save on Paul Bravo's shot in the eighth minute of overtime to preserve the tie. Howard finished with seven saves for the MetroStars (1-0-1). Adin Brown had the same number of saves for the Rapids (0-1-1).

Pedro Alvarez put the MetroStars up 1-0 in the 19th minutes, when he took a deflection from Balboa and scored into the left corner of the net. Clint Mathis, who's shot Balboa deflected, was credited with an assist.