D.C. United was eliminated from the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the Major League Soccer Cup playoffs on an aggregate score of 3-2 against the New York Red Bulls this weekend. Although the Black and Reds came out on top in Saturday’s game 2-1, their 2-0 loss on Nov. 2 to New York is what condemned them to a late exit from the playoffs.
United scored a goal in the 37th minute to take a 1-0 lead, as Taylor Kemp floated a cross to left winger Nick DeLeon, who headed it in from 6 yards. The goal gave some much needed momentum to the home squad, who needed to either win with a 2-0 shutout or by three goals to advance.
In the 57th minute, Red Bulls’ striker Thierry Henry aired a cross to Peguy Luyindula, who swiftly volleyed it in to tie the game. This came minutes after D.C. United forward Fabian Espindola missed a clear header for the necessary 2-0 lead and shifted the momentum to New York, who were now sitting on a comfortable 3-1 aggregate score.
New York ended the game with 10 men on the field following an excessive high kick by Red Bulls defender Roy Miller, who was ejected in the 78th minute. Miller’s absence allowed the United squad to get a goal back via a side-footed volley from defender Sean Franklin in the first minute of stoppage time. Following the final whistle, however, Espindola engaged in a heated exchange with assistant referee George Ganser, and received a post-game red card.
The loss strikes D.C. as a disappointment, given that the club was first in the regular-season tables, but not unexpected. No MLS club has advanced from a playoff game following a multi-goal playoff loss in 10 years. In 2004, the Kansas City Wizards recovered from a 2-0 away loss to the San Jose Earthquakes to win 3-0 at home.
The Red Bulls will face the New England Revolution on Sunday in New York, then again the following Saturday in New England. The winner will go on to play the victor of the Western Conference championship between the L.A. Galaxy and the Seattle Sounders for the MLS Cup.
Photo by Christopher Castano
