Andy Najar’s goal helps DC United draw 1-1 with Earthquakes

Najar scores to help United draw Earthquakes

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Rookie Andy Najar scored in the 54th minute to help D.C. United tie 1-1 with the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.

Najar beat his marker and volleyed home a cross from Stephen King at the far post for his second career MLS goal. The 17-year-old joined D.C. United (3-9-2) from the team’s academy before the season.

San Jose rookie Ike Opara put the Earthquakes up in the 16th minute, cleaning up a deflection after San Jose’s Ramiro Corrales and D.C. United’s Juan Manuel Pena battled for a corner. Opara’s right-footed shot from 10 yards out sneaked between goalkeeper Troy Perkins and the post.

The Earthquakes (5-4-4) had been 5-0 when scoring first. But Perkins repelled the rest of San Jose’s attacks, including a shot at the post by Ramiro Corrales in the 51st minute and Omar Jasseh’s open try from 10 yards out in the 89th.