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Red Bulls capture stressful win on the road against D.C. United

D.C. United hosted the New York Red Bulls for the start of Rivalry Week. Drama ensued, and the Red Bulls picked up three points on the road.
New York Red Bulls

Washington D.C. — The kickoff to Heineken Rivalry Week, D.C. United welcomed Atlantic Cup Rivals to Audi Field. This is the first meeting this season for the original MLS rivals. In a chippy face-off, the Red Bulls emerged victorious, 1-2.

A Familiar Face

Former Red Bulls midfielder Felipe Martins started for United. A surprising trade in the secondary transfer window, Felipe started in his first Atlantic Cup match in black and red. Making his presence known, he disrupted play in the middle of the field. He was tasked with corner kicks and was in the middle of more than one foul incident.

Fast Strike

Alejandro “Kaku” Romero Gamarra opened the scoring in the 7th minute. Midfielder Marc Rzatkowski crossed the ball, seemingly intended for Daniel Royer. However, the ball fell to Romero Gamarra, who nailed it into the lower left corner of the net. Moments later, Cristian Casseres, Jr. was lined up for a shot, but sent the ball over the crossbar. Tom Barlow’s scoring attempt soon after did not have the pace to get past D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid. Royer and Rzatkowski also missed opportunities in the final third.

Rooney, Tarek See Red

In the 21st minute, during a corner kick, D.C’s Wayne Rooney knocked into Casseres. Referee Ismail Elfath issued a red card to Rooney. In stoppage time before the first half, New York defender Amro Tarek was ejected with a second yellow card. Both teams had to continue down a man for the remainder of the game. Paul Arriola had the best chance for D.C. at the half-hour mark, going one-on-one with Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles. The New York Ironman deflected the ball back into play. Arriola’s second attempt became a cross that was cleared by the Red Bull defense.

Tactical Shift

Red Bulls manager Chris Armas brought in Tim Parker in the second half. Replacing Takek in the back line, striker Tom Barlow had to come off to make room for the 10-man Red Bulls. This move allowed New York to maintain pressure in the attacking third.

Meanwhile, newcomer Ola Kamara leveled the game in the 55th minute. Moments later, Elfath awarded a penalty kick to the Red Bulls. Royer successfully converted to put New York ahead. He was later subbed off for Kemar Lawrence. Armas’s choice to shore up the back line was unorthodox, but effective. Despite a physical matchup and extensive stoppage time, the Red Bulls held on to win the first installment of the Atlantic Cup.

The Red Bulls travel to Yankee Stadium for the second rivalry, the Hudson River Derby against NYCFC, this Saturday.

 

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