November 8, 2014 (HARRISON, NJ) The Red Bulls came into RFK and did the same thing they had done all year against the number one seed in the Eastern Conference. They lost. The victory on the day came from their advancement to the Eastern Conference finals in spite of that loss, thanks to a 2-0 win last weekend. It is the first time in team history that New York has ever defeated DC United in a playoff series, and only the third time in team history that the Red Bulls advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs. The traveling fans, 1200+ in total, have probably never felt so good about a loss before. “It is the only time where you can lose a game and be happy.” said Dax McCarty.
The afternoon had a rough beginning for the Red Bulls, who played without urgency and created but a single chance in the first half. In the 37th minute, DC finally punished the Red Bulls for their lethargy when Nick DeLeon found himself on the end of a great cross from Taylor Kemp. The score put United a single goal away from tying the series up on aggregate. Late in the first half, Bradley Wright-Phillips had a chance to extend the series lead on a breakaway, but couldn’t manage to beat the on rushing Bill Hamid. Still, maintaining their advantage into halftime, the Red Bulls had to decide whether to defend their series lead, or attack to put the final nail in United’s coffin.
“It was kind of a weird one.” Said Henry. “Because we go back on the field in the second half and you’re like, do we defend 1 nil down, or try to score and make sure you are basically there.” The answer for the Red Bulls was the latter, but not before a scare thanks to a well-timed header from former Red Bull Fabian Espindola that trickled just wide of the post. Moments later, New York would finally break through when Henry found space down the left hand side and fed the ball into Peguy Luyindula who redirected to the far post past Hamid.
Mike Petke praised the service from Henry after the game. “What we can we say about Thierry that hasn’t been said… Even when things aren’t going our way, he is always that threat and he always possesses that ability to do something special.” Special indeed. The goal all but assured the Red Bulls of advancing to the Conference Final. By scoring an away goal, the pressure was now on DC, needing three goals to win the series. “It was a huge release when we scored.” proclaimed Petke
“As soon as we scored it became a different game.” Added Henry. With United needing a miracle, they poured pressure forward and pinned the Red Bulls into their own half for much of the rest of the game. The defense, lauded in recent weeks, held up admirably in spite of giving up the winning goal in the 91st minute. The ball bounced around the box before finding a Sean Franklin volley that Robles was unable to keep out of the back of the net.
DC was unable to conjure anymore magic, and found themselves out of the playoffs as the final whistle blew. Despite being tested over and over again in the final minutes, the Red Bulls defense showed toughness which may have been lacking at other points this season. After the game, Jamieson Olave received stitches for split lip, while Roy Miler was shown a Red Card for a high boot to the checst of Sean Franklin. “Guys are bleeding, guys are sore, but it is all worth it at the end of the day.” said Dax McCarty.
The Red Bulls will return to Harrison in two weeks to face the winner of the Columbus/New England series which New England leads 4-2 after a big road victory. The Red Bulls remain confident in spite of the loss. “I don’t know if it’s the best, but definitely it’s the most important for now, and we are on to the next one. That’s all we wanted before the game…” said Peguy Luyindula.
Mike Petke added it was a “gutsy performance. This is perhaps a [series] in years past we would have lost… I’m proud of my guys.”
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Photo Credit: Rob Tringali/New York Red Bulls
