[MLS] Sign of better times to come? In their first game under new coach head coach Hans Backe, the New York Red Bulls needed only six minutes to get their first goal and held UEFA Champions League contender CSKA Moscow to a 1-1 tie Tuesday at the Campoamour Resort in Alicante, Spain.

Jamaican midfielder Dane Richards took advantage of a misplayed ball by the CSKA backline and scored.

"It was a good game for us," said Backe. "They are a real high-profile team. I am very happy with our performance and our defending. Overall, it was a good match. We've only practiced for 8-10 sessions. Our defense was excellent. You have to be good defending to survive."

Among the players in action: goalkeeper Bill Gaudette, who starred the last two years for the Puerto Rico Islanders, Swedish defender Fredrick Jonsson most recently was with Vasalunds IF and Argentine defender Walter Garcia, who was released at the end of last season.

Jan. 25 in Alicante
New York Red Bulls 1 CSKA Moscow 1.
Goals:
RBNY: Dane Richards  6th minute
CSKA: Tomas Necid 49th
Lineup:
New York -- Cepero (Gaudette, 46), Borman, Ream, Petke (Boyens 46), Jonsson (Johnson 46), da Luz (Hall, 46), Oebster (W.Garcia 46), Ubiparipovic, Richards (I.Garcia 46), Chinn, Angel (Richards 67).