The New York Red Bulls missed a terrific opportunity to take the lead as Kenny Cooper's second penalty attempt was saved by substitute D.C. United goalkeeper Joe Willis. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid was sent off on the play in the 69th minute that led to the penalty, and had something of a meltdown on his way off the field, as he argued with the officials and kicked a door heading into the locker room.
New York Red Bulls Vs. D.C. United: Hamid Sent Off, Willis Saves Cooper Penalty
On the play in question, Dax McCarty sent a pass up to Cooper on a breakaway, and Cooper only had Hamid to beat. When he rounded Hamid, the keeper went to ground to block the ball, and tripped Cooper just inside the box.
On the first attempt, Cooper stuttered too much on his approach, and referee Mark Geiger called it off for encroachment by Thierry Henry. Cooper scored on that attempt, but when he took the penalty the second time, Willis guessed the spot and saved it. It was a huge save for the back-up.
About a minute after the saved penalty, Rafael Marquez evened up the numbers as he was sent off for a second yellow card on a late tackle. In some respects, he was lucky to have remained in the game after his first yellow card, when he seemed to punch Chris Pontius in the head. But with his dismissal, both teams are down to 10 men.
It took more than an hour for action to break out in this match, but the game remains scoreless and there is sure to be more action ahead.
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