By AVI CREDITOR
WASHINGTON – The New York Red Bulls won their fifth game in six matches – equaling their win total of a season ago – as second-half goals by Salou Ibrahim and Juan Pablo Angel lifted the Red Bulls to a 2-0 Atlantic Cup victory over rival D.C. United at RFK Stadium.
The matchup between I-95 enemies displayed two teams going in opposite directions. Historically proud United (0-5) is off to the worst start in franchise history, while historically tortured New York sits comfortably atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Ibrahim followed up his own shot in the 51st minute by tapping in a ball inches from the goal line to open the scoring. Ibrahim received a cross from Dane Richards, who was a difference maker on the right flank in the second half, and had his initial shot blocked before capitalizing on the easy opportunity.
Nine minutes later, Angel was on the receiving end of a routine long free kick from Joel Lindpere. He out-jumped Juan Manuel Pena in the box, and headed home his fourth goal of the season to double New York's lead.
United came out with a palpable sense of confidence after Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup triumph, creating chances and having the edge in the run of play in the first half. The same problems that have haunted the team throughout the first month of the season resurfaced, though, as the team couldn't put together a finishing sequence in the final third.
Bouna Coundoul had something to do with that. He stuffed a point-blank Clyde Simms header in the 16th minute, saved a close-range Adam Cristman header in the 36th minute and denied Simms again on a lob attempt two minutes into the second half.
Luciano Emilio marked his return to D.C. by entering as a 66th-minute substitute, but he was unable to make an immediate impact, as New York's defense smothered United – a shutout victim for the fourth time in five matches - in the second half en route to its third clean sheet of the 2010 campaign.
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What did you think of the match? Amazed that New York has already matched its win total from a year ago? What does D.C. United need to do to salvage its season, or is it too late?
Share your thoughts below.
DC is a strange sports city, you’re right about that. I lived there for a couple of years myself. So many transients.
But still, I find it odd that DC’s fans bragged about their level of support for so long, and now all those committed fans need advertisements to remind them when games are. My point is not that DC’s fans are terrible, just that they’re nothing special, as they anointed themselves for so long. As I said, they’re as fickle as MLS fans anywhere.
Nice job NYRB, They may be 5-1 but lets see who they have beat. The beat Chicago in the opener at home with the fire ajusting to a new coach. And three of their wins have been against DCU, Philly, and Dsllas. The three worst teams in the league. They lost to a mediocre Chivas on one of Chivas’ good days. Their last win is over Seattle in seattle, in a game that the sounders controlled.
And the next game is against SJ Quakes, a team in the bottom 5 of the league. Games 8 through 14 will show how good the RBNY really are.
As for DC, Chang needs to sell the team and not wait untill bigger TV contracts come to fruition in 5 years time. That is what is happening. Chang is having DC way below the salary cap until DC is profitable, which will happened by 2015.
So DC “fans”, at least 5 years is not as bad the 15 years NYRB suffered through. Be thankful you are not a RBNY fan.
OK, feel better now? Run along and go support your 1st place team.
FIFTEEN points in 6 matches!
Life is good for NYCoccerheads,
we don’t mess around with no stinkin’ “draws”, it’s win win win win win for da Bulls
…wish they didn’t play on Saturdays, I always work
yet what a pleasant surprise it’s been to check out their highlights on a hungover Sunday morning… Better than two Excedrin!
…This JP Angel is a real player, has the instincts of an elite scorer, seems to be a notch above other MLS strikers I’ve seen and our keeper Coundoul has more than atoned for that virtual own-goal against Chivas, in fact, he was awesome yesterday…
…Is anyone in the NY sports world paying attention?
DCU 2010 Attendance:
04/03 New England Revolution 20,664
04/17 Chicago Fire 18,407
05/01 New York Red Bulls 12,089
NYRB 2010 Attendance:
03/27 Chicago Fire 24,572
04/17 FC Dallas 13,667
04/24 Philadelphia Union 15,619
DCU 2010 Average: 17,053.33
NYRB 2010 Average: 17,952,67
well, red bull get the “most improved award”, however, considering the new stadium, you would think they have more. but as ives’s point out, it’s going to take some time to win fans in NY with such a terrible history.
DCU actually increased their average in the first two games compared to 2009, but this last game was a 5,000 person drop off from 2009! this also says something about the fans not wanting to come out in 95 degree heat to watch a team they know is going to have a hard time winning.
either way, DCU has always been known to pack in around 18,000-20,000 people per game. they certainly have pulled larger crowds than that, but historically, they have hovered around 18k-20k a game. so, they are not too far off the mark.
this game was not advertised worth S#$%. i never heard one commercial for it. so i blame the front office for piss poor marketing. which is weird because they have been pretty good this year with it. even yesterday was a double header game (freedom played after) and there was a pub crawl after the game and a live band before the game. but still there just weren’t any commercials. but when Wale played before one game, there were a ton of commercials. same with the $15 college night game. DC is a strange sports city i have come to realize in my time here.
as for weather, i wouldn’t say perfect. 95 degrees with little wind. it was HOOOOT. luckily, we had a nice tree over the car. and personally, i say no more 4:00pm games.
And so is Emilio’s jerry curl
Clyde’s hair is awesome.
Emilio needs to watch Hollywood Shuffle
and get some goldfish platforms
DCs flag bearer didn’t even show up.
Baaaaahhhhhahahahahahshsshshhssshhshackcoughhackcoughcoughhackhackcoughhehe
voice of reason perhaps?
I’m from NY and am jazzed that the Red Bulls are doing so well. But we’re 1/5 of the way through the season. A season in which we haven’t really dominated nor sold out our brand new arena once.
and i can tell you that NOBODY likes to bake in the sun on a nice spring/summer day watching soccer. as evidenced by the ‘great’ turnout for our nearest rival, philadelphia, last weekend.
And DC’s championships-all four of them–are completely legitimate.
DC has been in a steady decline since 2006.
i can see what you mean with how rbny was in the first half…. but second half it wasn’t even a game…. play was completely dominated by the bulls and i have a hard time imagining any team in mls (except maybe l.a.) being able to hang with them. if the red bulls can find a consistant play than i can’t see them not being a major player for the championship.
All this gloating is because of DC.
However, I can’t gloat. It’s early in the season. I’m glad they’re doing well.
Still going to take a big fat dump in a urinal or two at RBA in July.
Try and stop me!
🙂
I hear you to a point, there are some DC fans that aren’t ‘that way’.
But there were also DC fans who used to post stuff like “Oh, I wish NY was better so that they’d give us a challenge, it’s no fun beating them so easily.” Eff that smug nonsense. DC fans have had multiple titles to win, and a lot to crow about. Fair enough. But if they were true fans, they’d be able to survive some losing seasons after ALL OF THE SUCCESS they constantly crow about, like the crap about them DESERVING to win because they have “the best support”. Support so good they can’t follow a team that isn’t winning every game? God forbid this game was in July and Thierry Henry and Riquelme (etc) were out there? I could have been 8-0.
So, while I grant that there are likely DC fans that didn’t act that way, there were PLENTY of others who have gone out of their way to rub our nose in every possible loss, and I’m looking at guys like BB who used to make banners about how great they were and how bad we were. No banners when you’re in last place, if only to mock your hated rivals? That’s just lazy, front running, yo.
So I’m not losing any sleep if their fan base walks away. The team can move and find another one. The only reason why DC is struggling is because their ownership won’t pony up for a new stadium or better players. It isn’t like the KC Royals vs. the Yankees in MLB where DCU can’t compete with the league, they just choose not to.
So, if the majority of that ‘loyal’ fan base walks away from them until they are winning again, well, “eh”. We’ve got successful teams in multiple markets, this isn’t the 2001 MLS. MLS can survive DCU moving/etc, and I can survive with their fans become the laughingstock they always tried to make us.
I give them no quarter.
No, I’m just enjoying DC suffering a little. Immature, yes.
FUN?
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
Ode to Jaime Moreno
_______________________
He was young once
And scored some great goals
Now he’s fat
And when he sits on the toilet, hangs over the bowl
Slow and slower
Those are his speeds
He wants a sandwich
Hey, a man has needs
Oh, the 90s are over
Gone never to return
What can you do?
You can’t go back, no never
Jaime is fat; you have nowhere to turn
Goodbye DC, HELLO ST. LOOOOOOO
I guess 15 years of suck causes a lot of pent up smack talk?
I’m with you – I never have celebrated crappy teams and empty stadiums. I want the league to succeed!
We’ll sign Henry & sell out every game thereafter. You’ll be rooting for a team in St.Louis next Year. Baltimore if you are lucky.
You know it.
We know it.
Accept it.
But, hey, at least you’ve got Emillo back.
The 90s are over, baby. And so is DC.
Really? SuperClub? Isn’t it a little early to declare that? Not for a minute will I try to argue the fact that we suck… but that’s a little over the top crowing there 🙂
But enough about hairdos…let’s talk about this:
2 goals for. 13 goals against. 0-5 in league.
NICE!
Oh, the 1990s were a long time ago weren’t they?
ST LOO
ST LOO
ST LOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
Congrats Red Bull fans.
After 15 years, it’s about time you start playing some soccer.
As for the attendance smack, you do realize that you couldn’t be bothered to sell out your opening match in the best new stadium in the country? And then you follow that up with a “reported” crowd of 13k in the second game (actual numbers were less than 10k) and even less the next week against Philly.
So please, enjoy your winning ways. I’m actually impressed with the type of soccer your team is playing. It’s fun to watch. Too bad it only took 15 years for it to happen.
But please stop embarrassing yourselves with attendance smack talk.
I don’t know his parents. They may be nice people. I just think he looks like he hasn’t had a shower in years. My reason for saying that is he actually looks just like a guy who used to stand by the Junction on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn years ago wetting himself and asking passersby for cigarettes. You don’t have to beleive me, but the resemblance is striking. Same haircut too.
Not racial at all. No harm intended. My concern was purely based on follicle conmsiderations.
Au Contraire, I thought Emillo was stylish in his taming of his locks. He may be slow and over the hill, but his hair is top notch & well-coiffed. Kudos to Luciano! Simms looks like he hasn’t had a shower in years. It’s not about race. It’s about hygiene.
New York fans what can you say.. I’m a little disappointed that he didn’t accuse their parents for a being pimps and a hoes.
Easy there buddy, let’s not get ahead of ourselves…
As much as I enjoy the DC/NY rivalry specifically, this makes sense.
No, he makes an excellent point. DC did brag for years about its support. Where is that support now? 12,000 for a Saturday daytime game with great weather? Looks like your fans are just as fickle as any in MLS.
And what are you saying is absolutely stunning? That DC has been terrible? Because no, that’s not stunning in the least. It’s what was expected.
i think the atlantic cup should include ny, dc, phi…best record (or points) after each team plays eachother wins the cup???
go red bulls!!!
What’s up with the racially sensitive comments about Clyde Simms’ hair and Emilio’s hair?
I can’t wait for the Union to play DCU at the ol’ RFK.
Keystone Kops anyone?
hell yea.
COYRB!!
This.
MLS is still growing. We need every fan, every dollar we can get our hands on. No need for empty stadiums, crappy teams and boring games.
it’s possible you may go winless all season.
Five thoughts:
1) RBNY has matched its win total from last year, yet many of the players are returnees. Intriguing.
2) DC need not ever build a statue of Jaime Moreno. They already have one. It’s called Jaime Moreno.
3) Nice dives by young father Santino Quaranta.
4) Simms looks like he hasn’t washed his hair in years. Is he homeless or living in a shelter or something?
5) People talk about DC’s four championships. Remember ..Three were won in the crazy early years of the league & in some ways, they are less legitimate (less teams, even crazier player allocation rules, etc) than teams that have won recently. They are like the Genoa of MLS…except they’ll be in ST Louis or Baltimore next year.
As a soccer fan, I feel for DC fans. As a Metro/RBNY supporter from the beginning, I am loving it.
i am NO defender of DC SCUM, but i do remember quite a few times reading united fans commenting on here on red bull articles saying how they wish we weren’t suffering the way we were. I hope DC comes back, nobody wants a crummy team in the league…i prefer to watch GOOD games during a rivalry, not spankings. That being said…RBNY looked decent…couple of more acquisitions (Henry/Raul??) and we could POSSIBLY make a cup run………
no i think bottomless wallet, foreign player loophole, rb salzburg player pool, academies in NJ, Ghana, Brazil, and Austria…. whereas dc is sitting with thier thumbs up their asses! thats why,
1) There was way, way more than 4000 fans there. Apparently, you cannot count.
2) RBNJ SuperClub? What evidence is there of this, please? Do you think six games maketh a ‘SuperClub’?
Nice report Ives. Attendance today? Atmosphere? It’s a long season football fans. You never know what can happen. No one is dead yet.
Feels so good to bring DC down.
2010 United = 2009 Dead Bulls
Dc, you’re finished. How does it feel to get slayed by red bull?
Solid away victory though I thought the team’s play was a little better against Seattle. Way to get the win boys! Rest up and then get another result out West — this time in Santa Clara!
(via the Victory Bus) Now that DC’s season is over, they can concentrate on letting Emilio’s soooooool gloooooooow!!!
LOL at the DC fans… there was what, like 4000 people there… How does it feel to be worse than RB was… your fans talk all that shi#@ last year and now you have a big ol’ foot in your mouth… Hello, RBNJ the SuperClub and good bye the DC united the fading star of MLS… i have such a sh**eating grin right now
Luciano Emilio looked horrendous.
I was happy with the win, but I think the play of the Red Bulls still needs to improve if they are now seriously thinking of winning the MLS cup. I don’t think that with their play tonight that they would have done well against teams like Seattle and LA. Coundoul is clearly hurt and needs to be rested to get healthy and I am so looking forward to the new Danish winger to be ready to start and for Albright at right back. I totally disagree with Messing that we should keep the entire back 4 together. The left side is good and we should explore giving some of the young guys more second half time to see who else emerges which hopefully takes us to the next level. Dane Richards did play well today.
No, actually YOU do NOT know how this feels. The Red Bulls have always sucked and had awful fans (save for ESC). DC United has always been competitive and had great fans. Last year wasn’t really a surprise to most RBNY fans; this is absolutely stunning for most MLS fans. The parallels are few. Plus, I doubt DCU will win 5 games this year. This will go down as the worst team in MLS history. Jaime Moreno should just retire now, before things get even worse.
As a DC united fan, all I can say is ouch. Well, I can say more – what does it take to dump that coach? And, I’ve been traveling alot these days and missed Emilio’s return to DC – thought they were trying to trade him. Oh, well – it didn’t help.
DC: now you know how it feels. Nice job by your front running fans to quit on your players by not showing up. Pathetic display after the years you spent patting yourselves on the back for how great your fans are.