New York Red Bulls win their second straight game 3-1, this time over eternal rivals DC United at Audi Field on Wednesday night. Goals from starters but usual substitutes Cameron Harper and Elias Manoel were the difference with team-leader Lewis Morgan adding a third.
One of the questions coming into this game was would ex-head coach Troy Lesesne know how to handle the vaunted Red Bulls press. While both team did negate each out for portions of the first half, New York had the advantage on athleticism, leading to better chances for the away side. Red Bulls found their opening goal just before the end of the half when Manoel caught the DC United goalkeeper out of position with a long effort. The goal was audacious but effective, giving New York the lead and the momentum going into the second half.
Red Bulls effectively carried that effort into the second frame, pushing DC and taking advantage of their lackluster press. Harper, who scored off the bench in the last game, found the back of the net in the 52nd minute, pushing DC into a desperate state. From there Red Bulls were able to press, forcing another chance where Harper nearly go the double but was left for Morgan to get his ninth goal of the season.
DC responded with a goal in the 64th minute and pressing harder for the remainder of the second half. However their execution was less than clinical despite chances from Christian Benteke. The game was solidified by Corey Burke who scored his first goal of the season for New York, guaranteeing the dominant performance for the Red Bulls heading to the Hudson River Derby.
The win raises New York to third in the Eastern Conference with their weekend opponents in Rivalry Week NYCFC raising themselves to fourth with a win over the Philadelphia Union. The weekend game has now become a major meeting not just for the a local rivalry but for who will be a potential contender for top of the Eastern Conference.
STARTING XI:
New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Duncan, Reyes, Eile, Tolkin, Harper, Amaya, Edelman, Forsberg, Morgan (84′ Burke), Manoel (68′ Vanzeir)
DC United: Bono; Herrera, McVey (55′ Birnbaum), Bartlett, Peltola, Daiome (55′ Pirani), Stroud, Hopkins, Klich (55′ Santos), Ku-Dipietro, Benteke
SCORING SUMMARY:
45′ (New York Red Bulls) Elias Manoel (3) assisted by Frankie Amaya
52′ (New York Red Bulls) Cameron Harper (2) assisted by Emil Forsberg
57′ (New York Red Bulls) Lewis Mogan (9) unassisted
64′ (DC United) Lucas Bartlett (1) assisted by Pedro Santos
90′ (New York Red Bulls) Corey Burke (1) assisted by Frankie Amaya
DISCIPLINE: