D.C. United has returned to Washington with the Atlantic Cup back in its possession despite Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls. Since the inception of trophy for the winner of the season series between United and the Red Bulls, D.C. United has owned the rivalry. With its most recent claim, the Black-and-Red has won 10 Atlantic Cup titles to its name, while the Red Bulls have a mere three.
United needed only the first two meetings between the sides to capture this year’s trophy, securing shutout wins on April 12 and Aug. 31. Four minutes in to New York’s visit to RFK in April, Davy Arnaud headed home a Fabián Espíndola corner kick that had been flicked on by Bobby Boswell. Post-game, D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen said the words that have been heard multiple times this season.
“It was a good old-fashioned grind out with a little luck on the side,” said Olsen.
More recently, on Aug. 31, the Black-and-Red hosted RBNY again and walked away with a more definitive 2-0 win in the hottest conditions of the season.
Luis Silva notched the first tally in the 57th minute. Bill Hamid sent the ball down field, and Espíndola rose above the Red Bull defense and headed the ball on to Silva. With a quick touch around New York goalkeeper Luis Robles, Silva found the back of the net.
Eddie Johnson solidified the lead in extra time when Perry Kitchen played the ball over the top. Johnson controlled the pass and scored his fifth goal of the season.
“I am very pleased with the result,” Olsen said. “It was always going to be a gutsy day.”
With the Atlantic Cup decided, New York’s increasing desperate playoff hopes were on the line in the teams’ final regular clash on a cool September 10th, and things got heated quickly. A controversial red card for Espíndola’s high kick on Dax McCarty saw United go down to ten men in the 32nd minute.
Forced to scrap its game plan, D.C. United focused on defense and remained compact, making it difficult for Red Bulls. The backline was sturdy, and Bill Hamid made huge saves as he’s done all year, keeping the Black-and-Red in the match until the very end. It was the 90th minute by the time the Red Bulls broke through and Sam Lloyd finished a ball in the six-yard box. The result broke D.C. United’s heart, but it didn’t dislodge them from their current place along at at the top the Eastern Conference standings. It also didn’t prevent the Atlantic Cup from making the journey down I-95 back to reside in Washington again.
“It’s such a gutsy performance from this team,” Olsen said. “They’re a bunch of grinders and they know how to do that, and I’m proud of them tonight. I’m disappointed for them, again because of the call, and I’m disappointed that they couldn’t get something from what was a hell of an effort from the guys.”
