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Red Bulls get back on track with win over D.C. United

Photo by William Hauser/USA Today Sports

It took the presence of the club’s fiercest rival to get the New York Red Bulls back on track.

Previously on a four game winless run, the Red Bulls bounced back in a big way on Saturday via a 2-0 win over rivals D.C. United. The win is just the Red Bulls’ third of the season, while the loss sees D.C. slump to defeat for the first time since March 19.

After exchanging a series of chances in the first half, the Red Bulls finally took the lead just moments into the second period. On the end of a Sacha Kljestan corner kick, Alex Muyl headed a shot just past the outstretched Bill Hamid, giving the Red Bulls a lead in the 46th minute.

In the 62nd minute, Hamid was beaten again as Bradley Wright-Phillips fired his third of the year. The Red Bulls forward was played in by a Felipe through-ball, and Wright-Phillips fired the ensuing shot through Hamid’s legs and into the back of the net for the second goal.

D.C. United, meanwhile, was held largely quiet, but the visitors did have their chances. Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles was forced into four saves while D.C. fired an additional eight shots off target throughout the match.

The Red Bulls grabbed their third win of the season as the Columbus Crew come to town next weekend while D.C. United looks ahead to a visit to the New England Revolution.

MAN OF THE MATCH

As always, Alex Muyl was one of the Red Bulls’ more active players, and the midfielder was rewarded with what turned out to be the game-winning goal.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Muyl’s goal set the tone for the second half, helping the Red Bulls seize momentum after an up-and-down first 45.

MATCH TO FORGET

The D.C. United attack was particularly off on Saturday. Defender Steve Birnbaum had four shots, twice as many as any of his teammates and four times more than any forward. As the playmaker, it’s on Luciano Acosta to get others involved, and D.C. simply didn’t do much of that on Saturday

Comments

  1. Always tough to lose your main offensive threat to a head injury. Too bad DC didn’t have another playmaking attacking centerback.

    Quick recovery Birnbaum!!!

    Reply
  2. “match to forget” should’ve gone to hamid: both goals were on him, while acosta was consistently dc’s only attacking threat from open play.

    Reply
    • Agreed,…Hamid looked weak. The second goal,…right between his legs. Shoulders drop when your keeper is letting in goals like that.

      Alex Muyl looked great. I am hoping he keeps developing. Tyler Adams is looking strong as well.

      Reply

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