DC United captain Wayne Rooney was one of two players sent off as the New York Red Bulls edged DC in a 2-1 win. With the victory, New York leapfrogs United in the Eastern Conference standings and now sit in fourth, while DC now occupy the fifth place spot.
The ex-Manchester United legend saw an early exit after throwing a forearm at Michael Murillo during a corner kick and was, after video review, shown a straight red card. New York’s Amro Tarek was also given his marching orders at the later stages of the first half.
After having been called for a foul on DC’s Paul Ariola, the Red Bulls defender had a heated verbal exchange with referee Ismail Elfath and was shown a second yellow.
The Red Bulls made sure United’s goalkeeper Bill Hamid had a busy night. Daniel Royer and Kaku were fast and furious with their shots on goal, especially in the first half. Kaku would open the scoring in the 6’ with a vicious left footed strike. Royer found Marc Rzatkowski who crossed the ball towards the center of the box. After ping ponging around and being brought down by DC’s Lucas Rodríguez, heads up play by Kaku lead to an interception in the box and ultimately the goal.
The second half began with both teams playing level at ten men a piece. United’s Ola Kamara would have jaws on the floor with a golazo and his first goal as a DC player. In the 55’, just outside the left corner of the box, Kamara would hit a curler that would have MLB pitchers jealous. The ball curved just beyond the reach of a diving Luis Robles and found the top right corner of the net for a memorable equalizing goal.
The teams would only be level for about four minutes. Lucas Rodríguez would again find himself on the wrong side of the ball as the defender clipped a streaking Michael Murillo in the box. The referee wasted no time in awarding the Red Bulls a penalty kick. Daniel Royer stepped up to the spot and struck a low stinger into the bottom left corner.
DC’s closest opportunity of the game came in the very last minute of stoppage time. Rodríguez had a chance to play hero after a perfect through ball from Quincy Amarikwa. If not for a strong save from Luis Robles, the game would have ended in a draw. This was not to be. Robles made a sensational save to give New York the win and all three points.
Not much time to celebrate the victory for New York. They travel to Yankee Stadium on Saturday for a much anticipated battle with heated rival, NYCFC. The Red Bulls currently stand three points behind the boys from the Bronx and can draw level on points with a victory this weekend. DC will head to the City of Brotherly Love Saturday and face the conference co-leaders, Philadelphia Union.