WASHINGTON, DC – With both teams advancing to the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tournament, the scene now shifts to Audi Field in the Nation’s Capital to resume an longstanding and bitter rivalry that’s been in existence since the league was founded.
For coach Sandro Schwarz and his team, they arrive with some unfinished business. The last time these two teams met at Sports Illustrated Stadium back in April, they suffured a humilating 2-1 defeat. In addition, being winless in seven matches on the road has become a legitimate concern among the fanbase, something that needed to be addresed in short order. Not just to put their season on the right track, but possibly to excat some revenge as well.
Red Bulls didn’t waste any time going on the attack, with Eric Choupo-Moting driving to United’s goal but Cameron Harper’s shot harmlessly went off the side netting. Red Bulls returned with a chance six minutes later as Luis Barraza saved Emil Forsberg’s chance on a break.
Emil Forsberg managed to break free of United’s defenders and got the ball over to Eric Choupo-Moting, but his blast from outside the box sailed high and over the bar by inches. Red Bulls nearly found thmeselves in trouble in the 19th minute as Jacob Murrell found a loose ball between him and the keeper, but Carlos Coronel was there with a last-minute kick save, keeping the hosts scoreless for the moment.
But the moment would not last long, for in the 42nd minute, the Red Bulls struck. Cameron Harper netted his second goal of the season, after taking a pass from Emil Forsberg, he charged into the open space in front of him, shooting the ball that nestled in the back of the net.
The second half saw the Red Bulls having a chance to double the lead in the 68th minute as Cameron Harper delivered a great ball over to Emil Forsberg, but his shot whistled just wide to his right.
With fresh legs coming off the bench, United began to press for the equalizer, Jared Stroud had a glorious chance to do just that, but he headed the ball right to Carlos Coronel, ending the threat. Each time United had built up a scoring attack, they were fustratingly denied by the combined efforts of centerbacks Tim Parker and Alexander Hack and the calm and composed presence of Kyle Duncan down the stretch.
Taking a header off Wiktor Bogaz, Mohammed Sofo scored his third goal of the season, his sixth in all competitions five minutes into stoppage time. While United defenders appealed that Sofo was offside, the goal stood, sealing the Red Bulls first win on the road and getting a taste of revenge over their hated rivals before heading home to face Charlotte FC on Wednesday.
Starting XI:
D.C. United: Luis Barraza, Garrison Tubbs (Matti Peltola 46′), Lucas Bartlett, Kye Rowles, David Schnegg, Boris Enow, Brandon Servania (Jackson Hopkins 46′(Gabriel Pirani 72′)), Arron Herrera, Joao Peglow, Jacob Murrell (Kristian Flectcher 59′), Hosei Kijima (Jared Stroud 59′)
New York Red Bulls: Carlos Coronel, Omar Valencia, Tim Parker, Alexander Hack, Kyle Duncan, Daniel Edelman, Peter Stroud (Ronald Donkor 87′), Cameron Harper (42′), Emil Forsberg (Dennis Gjengaar 79′), Wikelman Carmona (Mohammed Sofo 79′), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Wiktor Bogaz 90+3′)
Scoring Summary:
42′ – New York Red Bulls – Cameron Harper, assisted by Emil Forsberg and Wikelman Carmona
90+5′ – New York Red Bulls – Mohammed Sofo, unassisted
Disciplinary Summary:
37′ – D.C. United – David Schnegg – Yellow Card
45′ – New York Red Bulls – Peter Stroud – Yellow Card
77′ – D.C. United – Gabriel Pirani – Yellow Card
82′ – New York Red Bulls – Cameron Harper – Yellow Card
84′ – New York Red Bulls – Eric Choupo-Moting – Yellow Card
85′ – New York Red Bulls – Mohammed Sofo – Yellow Card