Bernardello’s late goal lifts Impact to 1-1 tie with United

WASHINGTON – Hernan Bernardello scored in the 86th minute to give the Montreal Impact a 1-1 tie with D.C. United on Sunday night.

Bernardello, who signed with Montreal (7-5-9) on July 24, came on for Kyle Bekker in the 71st. His goal, off a feed from Matteo Mancosu, was his first in MLS play. He played 28 combined matches for Montreal in 2013 and 2014.

“This wasn’t our greatest game against a team that was giving everything to get back into the playoff picture, but we were able to come back late on,” said Impact coach Mauro Biello.

“I have to praise my players for how they pushed until the end and believed that they could equalize. We will take this point and move forward.”

Patrick Mullins bounced a header, off the entry by Taylor Kemp, off the ground into the top-right corner in the 19th minute. It was the first goal of the season for Mullins, who was acquired from New York City FC on July 20.

United (5-8-8), which outshot the Impact 16-8, is winless in its last five games.

“In the first half, we were going up and down, it was fast-paced,” said Montreal midfielder Harry Shipp. “We could have done a better job at getting into the half and resting with the ball. But we found a way to get a point in the end, which is important.”

Montreal has just one loss in its last nine matches (3-1-5).

The Impact’s Didier Drogba received a red card in the 81st minute.