D.C. United managed to make it interesting and at times looked capable of completing their comeback against the New York Red Bulls, but a Peguy Luyindola goal in the 57th minute ended any of those hopes. Nick DeLeon scored a first-half goal, but the Red Bulls were able to advance to the Eastern Conference finals despite losing 2-1 on Saturday. The Red Bulls won 3-2 on aggregate, just the third time in their 19-year history they had advanced from a two-legged series.
DC United vs. New York Red Bulls: Final score 2-1, but Thierry Henry pushes NY through
Red Bulls advance to Eastern Conference finals with 3-2 aggregate goal victory.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
United climbed back into the series in the 37th minute when left back Taylor Kemp fired in a perfect cross first time, finding the head of DeLeon who had made a late run into the box. As good as the cross was, it was a bit jarring to see DeLeon streak in without any of the three Red Bulls defenders even making an attempt to play him or the ball.
Just a few minutes earlier, United narrowly avoided what could have been a disastrous penalty. Thierry Henry had put Bradley Wright-Phillips in with a well placed pass on the left wing. Wright-Phillips took a bad touch, though, taking him even wider. The 30-goal scorer was still able to put in a cross that struck the slightly outstretched hand of Bobby Boswell, but referee Ismail Elfath waved it off.
United had all the momentum at that point and nearly equalized in the 54th minute when DeLeon put in a cross that found Fabian Espindola open in front of goal. But Espindola's header flashed wide and the Red Bulls heaved a sigh of relief.
Just three minutes later, the Red Bulls effectively put the series away. Again, it was Thierry Henry pulling the strings, this time taking a ball out onto the left wing and firing in a low, left-footed cross that Luyindola redirected past United goalkeeper Bill Hamid. It was Luyindola’s second goal of the series and Henry’s third assist.
Despite the comfortable lead, the Red Bulls weren't able to escape completely unscathed. Roy Miller picked up a red card in the 78th minute with a stud-to-the-chin challenge on Sean Franklin. Miller will be suspended for the Red Bulls' next game.
United was able to pull one more back on a 91st minute goal from Franklin, but it was far too little, far too late to make much difference.
Espindola was also shown a red card after the final whistle for apparently shoving an assistant referee.
DC United: Hamid; Kemp, Birnbaum, Boswell, Franklin; Pontius (Estrada 73), Kitchen, Arnaud (Johnson 59), DeLeon; Rolfe (Neal 66), Espindola.
Goals: DeLeon (37), Franklin (90)
Red Bulls: Robles, Eckersley, Olave, Sekagya, Miller, Alexander (Cahill 65), McCarty, Sam (Armando 95), Luyindula (Oyongo 76), Henry, Wright-Phillips.
Goals: Luyindola (57)
3 things
1. Henry still might be the best player in the league: No, he doesn’t really put in 90-minute shifts the way he once did, but Henry can still be extremely effective. He plays honestly enough not to be a complete liability on defense and he only needs a couple looks to be dangerous. Henry’s assist was a perfect example, as it was one of the few times he had any space. But he still managed to fire in a perfect cross and now we’ll be treated to at least two more matches of his majesty.
2. Away-goals are huge: This is hardly revelatory, but the importance of away-goals was effectively illustrated in this one. United went into halftime with all the momentum and came very close to finding the equalizer. But once Luyindola’s shot found the back of the net, this match was essentially over. Suddenly, United needed four goals to get through and there was just no way that was going to happen.
3. Miller is his own worst enemy: There aren’t too many left backs in MLS more talented than Roy Miller, but the man just can’t get out of his own way. The latest bit of evidence came with about 12 minutes left in the game when he put a boot to the chin of Sean Franklin on a pointless challenge 40 yards away from goal. It was the hardest kick to the face you’ll ever see, but it was A KICK TO THE FACE. Elfath had no choice but to show red and aside from the fact that the Red Bulls had to finish the game out down a man, Miller will also miss the first leg of the Eastern Conference finals.
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