Eastern Conference rivals D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls face off tonight at RFK Stadium, with second place in the East on the line in this battle of arch-rivals.
The Red Bulls come in unbeaten in four matches, and boast MLS goal-scoring leaders Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper. They take on a D.C. squad riding high off a big comeback road win against the New England Revolution.
Today's match also features a match-up of top rookies, as D.C. midfielder Nick DeLeon and Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara clash in a battle of Rookie of the Year candidates.
Both teams have had their defensive struggles this year, which could lead to a high-scoring match, though the wet and rainy conditions could make play sloppy at RFK Stadium.
SBI will be providing live commentary from today's match so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your own thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Tonight's commentary is after the jump):
You mean “cornrows,” not “corn rolls.”
Heff, you are unfair to Pontius by implying that he is incapable of scoring against the likes of Jamaica, Guatemala and Antigua in the WC qualifying. He scored plenty of goals against very good MLS defenses and if that is not enough for you he scored and got an assits against AC Milan, a team with world class defenders. There might be better options than Pontius in the national team pool, but he will not embarass himself if he is called up.
No thanks… we need him.. perhaps next year if we make it easily through the WQ qualies this summer. Rather seee Herc/Dempsey/Donovan/etc… Pontius is still making it back.
If the US plays the red bulls in qualifying this might be a good choice. Unfortunately, its not often the US plays a team whose back line sets up more goals than the opposing teams midfielders. I think we had more assists for you tonight then DeRo has had all season.
As much as it pains me to say this, good win DC you deserved it.
For the red bulls, I wish I could say that having our 4 injured/suspended defensive starters back would make me more comfortable about the season. Sad thing is that I am worrying that despite getting some early wins, we are poised for a crash (ala last year) and this season might be a wash, which is especially worrying, seeing that this isn’t even a rebuilding year. That will be next year when a new coach comes in.
And now on ESPN….More Tim Tebow hype and it is not even football season. Thank goodness we have have a soccer league now.
De Leon is a young De Ro…down to the hairstyle
Fire Backe and Soler.
I learned that NYRB has ONE mode of attack: give the ball to Henry. See how far that gets you, especially with a dysfunctional defense and a rookie keeper.
RFK needs a soccer rennovation…Their fans deserve it
+1
I’ve always liked Pontius; he has been massively unlucky with injuries. I think he could yet be a National team player.
Solli stinks too
Klinsmann look-see for Pontius?
Drats. Henry with a beatious free kick. Class. Sorry Joe Willis, no shut out tonite.
I can’t wait for the post-match Henry interview; oh snap. Especially after he scores a brilliant free kick. But he’s gonna be one huge sour-puss.
ha ha. I predicted a 2-1 win. 4-1 is kind of like that. ok not really but who’s complaining? oh right, Red Bull fans.
Beastly
Wow, is Holggerson that bad? He looks like Andrew Boyens out there. And I thought Tim Ream was awful.
Hat trick Pontius. Nifty run and calm finish. NYRB backline gettting shredded.
GOAL of the week: Pontius. Player of the week: Pontius. BOOK. IT.
Backe thinks MLS is a physical league. Okay. It is but speed is also key and RB has too little. So now we see everyone from Henry down to today’s awful backline being outmanned. Even the big man Holggerson was owned by Pontius on the second goal.
4 if you count Marquez and Tainio
You do realize 3 of their top defenders are out?
NY needs a goal fast. Henry needs to impose his will. He was absent in the 1st Half
I did see it! Watched it live. At first I was annoyed THAT was the game of the week on NBC sports but man I was proven wrong. That game was crazy fun to watch. MLS really is starting become an attractive option for American sports fans. (yes, I’m well aware there are the odd snooze fests, but that happens in EVERY league).
Tainio should replace Solii when he returns. Sollii has been garbaggio this year.
Did you see TFC/Chicago game yesterday? For me, this was the most entertaining MLS match of the year so far. Wide open play with excellent skill.
Roy Miller doesn’t seem so bad now, I guess.
Pontius is officially back…Best used as a Striker
Can NY please get Carlos Bocanegra?
LOL, Red Bulls have given up as many goals in a 10 minute period than SKC and Seattle have given up all year. Keystone Kop high school defenses are better!!
De Rosario was the league MVP last year. Should the announcers know how to pronounce his name?
DeLeo makes it 3-0 (helped with a deflection). The NYRB backline is just getting out hustled and shouldered off the ball.
Ok. NY’s defenders look like my pub team, when we’re all drunk.
Santos just pounded three red bulls. Caffeine surge. Pontius looks to have earned his starting role back.
Dang. Maicon Santos putting in the work on the end line to out hustle the NYRB backline and create the chance for Pontius. DCU spreading their wings tonite at home.
What strength by Santos. Dude looke like a badass in the rain, too.
Zing! Kudos.
Well they’re not gonna post my comment in cover it live so i’ll say it here:
If I’m DCU marketing I’m manufacturing corn-roll wigs and selling them at games for fans to wear a la David Luiz style at Chelsea. DeRo and DeLeo, veteran and rookie, Old Reliable and Mr. YoungStar, corn roll soul brothers.
Thierry Henry is a French pastry- all crispy and buttery on the outside, soft on the inside.
Oh and props to me for calling at least one of the goal scorers tonight
Man I love MLS. I live in Memphis so I never have any dogs in any fight and never called a team my own, but damn if MLS isn’t entertaining. It is truly my favorite league. Been a fan since the beginning with golden goals and pks at the end of every game and man has it come a loooooong way. I love it.
Pow! Pontius with a superb individual play. Great strike after taking the ball from Henry and then beating the NYRB centerback.
Shoulder to Henry, unleash rocket. Great goal by Pontius.
Beasley just scored for Puebla against America-has to be there for qualifying, maybe even as a starter. Brek needs a bit of a rest, all these games have taken their toll, plus his best game for the senior team was as a sub. Johnson @ LB, Beas on the left, brek LW on the bench and Timmy Chandler backing up Johnson?