Red Bull Arena is the stage for the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Nov. 8 at 3 PM. The Atlantic Cup rivalry game comes a week after United hosted the first leg, a 1-0 defeat. The Red Bulls' away goal means that a loss or tie will send the Black-and-Red home. A 1-0 victory by United would send the game into extra time (both teams would have one away goal) and scoring more than one goal in a victory (2-1, 2-0, 3-1, etc.) would send D.C. into the Eastern Conference Final.
All-Time History
The Black-and-Red have a strong all-time postseason record against the team from New Jersey, winning seven times, drawing twice and losing three times. Back in the days when the Metrostars were playing in the Meadowlands, United absolutely dominated in the playoffs. D.C. had a 4-1 record against the Metrostars (from 1996-2004), winning the MLS Cup in 1996, ‘97, ‘99 and ‘04 in that stretch. In all competitions over the last 20 years (82 games), D.C. United have won 42 times, losing 28 and drawing 13.
Ben Olsen vs Jesse Marsch
Another D.C. United game, another coaching matchup between former players. Jesse Marsch, the Red Bulls’ first-year head coach, was drafted out of college by United and played in MLS from 1996-2009. After he left the team for the Chicago Fire in 1997, Marsch played against Olsen in the 1998 MLS Cup Final. (Also on the field that day was D.C. United director of goalkeeping Zach Thornton, who won Goalkeeper of the Year in 1998 with the Fire.) The match in D.C. was the first playoff meeting between Olsen and Marsch as coaches.
Alecko vs RBNY
Ask a D.C. United fan to name a memorable Atlantic Cup moment, and Alecko Eskandarian will be high on the list. When he scored against the Red Bulls in 2006, his celebration became one of the most iconic moments in the rivalry. The New Jersey native spat out a swig of Red Bull and went down in history as part of the Black-and-Red.
The Year 2012
While D.C. United have four players in the top 15 active list of postseason goals, only Nick DeLeon and Chris Rolfe have scored in the playoffs for the Black-and-Red. Nick DeLeon’s game-winning goal at a frigid Red Bull Arena in 2012 thrust the Rookie of the Year finalist into the national spotlight. Backup goalkeeper Joe Willis also went down in history as a Black-and-Red hero when he saved Kenny Cooper's penalty in the second half of the same game.
