HARRISON, N.J. — Facing a New York Red Bulls club that not had been beaten at home all year, Sounders FC looked to bury its early-season funk.

The Sounders did not hand the Red Bulls their first home loss, but did show their fight in a 2-2 tie in swamp-like conditions Sunday.

Fredy Montero's goal off the bench in the 67th minute and a pair of assists by defender Adam Johansson followed a 2-1 win July 7 over Colorado that ended the team's nine-game MLS winless streak. Sunday's tie came after Wednesday's victory over Chivas USA in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.

"It feels like we're working harder for each other (since breaking the losing streak)," said Johansson. "If you play hard and perform, you're going to get results."

During the match, the league announced that Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso and forward Eddie Johnson had been added to the MLS all-star team by coach Ben Olsen.

In the 16th minute, Johansson lofted a pass from 40 yards out to forward Alvaro Fernandez, who slotted the ball into the right corner of the net for a 1-0 lead. But the moment was short lived.

A right-footed blast from New York's Kenny Cooper was batted away by Sounders goalkeeper Bryan Meredith. But Sebastian Le Toux, in his first start for the Red Bulls (9-5-5) since being acquired from Vancouver, tapped it in for a 1-1 tie in the 24th minute.

"(The Red Bulls) got a little more into the game in the last 10 minutes of the (first) half," said Sounders coach Sigi Schmid. "I think the fatigue of us playing (Wednesday) coming into this game started to show a little bit."

With temperatures in the 80s during what Johansson called "the hottest game I've ever played in," both teams lacked verve in the second half. After Joel Lindpere wove through the Sounders' defense for a goal in the 61st minute for a 2-1 lead, it was clear Seattle needed a jolt.

Montero, who was inserted for Mauro Rosales in the 62nd minute, provided that energy. In the 67th minute, Montero, off a pass from Brad Evans, beat Red Bulls goalkeeper Bill Gaudette to tie the score at 2.

"I think that's his fourth goal off the bench for us in seven games," said Schmid. "So he has shown the ability to come off the bench and impact the game."

Said Montero: "The way I see it is as an opportunity to come off the bench and to help the team."

The Sounders (8-5-7) will carry a solid recent body of work into Wednesday's exhibition with Chelsea. Then the team gets a much-needed break before playing at Colorado on July 28.

"The guys need a mental and physical break right now to recharge their batteries and get themselves back in a groove," said Schmid. "We're fit, there's no doubt about that, or else we wouldn't be able to get through a game like that."

Note

• Schmid said goalie Michael Gspurning's return is imminent. "He's very, very, very close (to returning)," said Schmid. "We'll see for Chelsea, but for sure he'll be back after that."

First half — 1, Seattle, Fernandez 2 (Johansson), 16th minute. 2, New York, Le Toux 5, 24th. Second half — 3, New York, Lindpere 3 (Barklage), 61st. 4, Seattle, Montero 5 (Evans), 67th. Goalies — Seattle, Brian Meredith; New York, Bill Gaudette. Shots — Seattle 11, New York 16. Shots on goal — Seattle 5, New York 6. Saves — Seattle 3, New York 3. Fouls — Seattle 12, New York 12. Corner kicks — Seattle 2, New York 6. Offsides — Seattle 2, New York 4. Yellow cards — Burch, Seattle, 44th; Lade, New York, 53rd; Rose, Seattle, 66th; Henry, New York, 74th. Referee — Jorge Gonzalez. Assistant referees — Ian Anderson. Chris Strickland. 4th official — John McCloskey. A — 19,414 (25,189).

Lineups

Seattle — Brian Meredith, Adam Johansson, Patrick Ianni, Jeff Parke, Marc Burch, Andy Rose (Leo Gonzalez, 77th), Alvaro Fernandez, Mauro Rosales (Fredy Montero, 62nd), Brad Evans (Servando Carrasco, 85th), Osvaldo Alonso, Eddie Johnson.

New York — Bill Gaudette, Roy Miller, Markus Holgersson, Brandon Barklage, Connor Lade, Joel Lindpere, Rafael Marquez (Wilman Conde, 21st), Dax McCarty, Sebastien Le Toux, Thierry Henry, Kenny Cooper.