WASHINGTON—The 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Semifinal round began Saturday afternoon at RFK Stadium with the latest installment of the oldest rivalry in MLS.
For the third time in four years, D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls – league originals, whose distaste for each other has only intensified over the years – met in the postseason, with the Red Bulls taking a 1-0 victory as the teams opened their home-and-away series in front of 19,525 fans.
RBNY claimed a precious away goal on Dax McCarty's strike in the 72nd minute. D.C. controlled the match for stretches, but seemed to lack a final ball, finishing without a single shot on goal.
The two teams battled through a nervy opening 20 minutes before United's first good look of the match. Former Red Bull Fabián Espíndola – who shared his eagerness to face his former club in the buildup to Sunday’s encounter – swung a ball in from the far corner to teammate Álvaro Saborío. A perfectly-positioned Sabo won the header at the top of the six, but couldn’t steer his effort on frame.
D.C. appealed for a penalty kick moments later when Espíndola broke in alone towards goal and jostled in the box with Red Bulls defender Damien Perrinelle. No call was made. In the 33rd minute, New York nearly took the lead on a close-range combination between Bradley Wright-Phillips and Mike Grella; Grella’s point-blank effort, however, was dealt with by United ‘keeper Bill Hamid, who got his face in front of it.
Moments after the halftime whistle, Hamid came up big again, smothering an attempt from the far side of the box by New York defender Kemar Lawrence. A minute later, Red Bull’s back line suffered a blow when Perrinelle went down with what seemed to be a potentially serious knee injury, forcing him to exit.
In the 58th minute, RBNY continued their push. Midfielder Felipe Martins shot from 30 yards, which Grella redirected about 15 yards from goal. Hamid was once again excellent, parrying the attempt over the bar. Lawrence rocketed a shot off the posts moments later, but United regrouped at the other end, where Espíndola and Saborío combined again, though the Costa Rican’s low volley was driven wide.
In the 68th minute, a bit of controversy in D.C.’s end: Red Bulls defender Ronald Zubar, who had replaced Perrinelle, sprinted towards a loose ball, going to ground on a strong challenge with United midfielder Markus Halsti, who he upended. Amid several appeals for a red card, referee Fotis Bazakos issued only a yellow.
Moments later, the Red Bulls scored: US national teamer Sacha Kljestan lined up over a free kick 25 yards from goal, drifting in a cross towards the top of the 6-yard box. Former United midfielder McCarty, now the Red Bulls' captain, nodded home from the far post into the back of the net.
D.C. travel up I-95 to Harrison, New Jersey on November 8 for the return leg of the series, faced with the task of washing away New York’s away goal if they're to forge a path toward the Eastern Conference Championship.
