The Red Bulls come out flat in 1-0 loss to D.C. United. Ola Kamara gave D.C. United the lead in the 27-minute. The goal off a terrible RBNY giveaway netted the Norwegian his team-leading seventh goal of the year. It was arguably the worst performance of the Red Bulls’ season. They have now won only once all season.
Team News
DC United make a few changes to the team that drew away at Chicago. Drew Skundrich and former Red Bull Felipe Martins are in midfield, Moses Nyeman and Yami Asad are out. One more tweak sees Kevin Paredes, who scored in the 2-2 draw, start over Nigel Robertha.
Red Bulls make a few changes of their own from the side that shared points at Toronto FC. Cristian Casseres Jr is back after some time away and starts in place of Frankie Amaya. Dru Yearwood retains his place after leaving BMO Field with an injury. And wunderkid Caden Clark is also back as the number 10 in place of Wikelman Carmona, behind the strike partnership of Fabio and Patryk Klimala.
DC United Lineup: Bill Hamid; Tony Alfaro, Joseph Mora, (C) Frederic Brillant, Andy Najar; Felipe Martins, Junior Moreno, Drew Skundrich; Kevin Paredes, Ola Kamara, Julian Gressel
Red Bulls Lineup: Carlos Coronel; John Tolkin, Amro Tarek, Tom Edwards, Kyle Duncan; (C) Sean Davis, Dru Yearwood, Cristian Casseres Jr, Caden Clark; Fabio, Patryk Klimala
First Half: Ola Kamara scores to give D.C. United the lead
A chaotic start kicked off the opening five minutes of the game. Paredes nearly put United in front but his mishit inside the box gave Coronel an easy save. First yellow card of the game went to Alfaro for wrapping his arm around Duncan on a challenge.
DC would score the opener in the 27-minute. Off a giveaway from Kyle Duncan, Gressel would dispossess Tarek, send an easy square cross to Kamara who guided the ball into the net. It’s the Norwegian’s team-leading seventh goal of the season. The goal also gave Gressel his second assist of the year.
The first half showcased a physical game all-around. Players on both sides were down requiring treatment. The multiple breaks in action led to five minutes added time. United could’ve and should’ve scored at least three goals. Clear missed opportunities by Paredes and Kamara spared their opponents.
They totally cut apart the Red Bulls in the opening 45 minutes. By slowing down the play at times, DC were able to work the ball into open spaces. New York finished the first half without a shot on or off target. Even with more possession, Gerhard Struber’s side had no ideas on how to attack. United simply out worked, maneuvered and took advantage of their chances.
Second half: D.C. United hold on for 1-0 victory
Nigel Robertha came on to replace goalscorer Kamara as he was laboring a bit. Minutes later, Robertha went down grabbing his groin and had to be subbed off. Yamil Asad came on for him, while Yordy Reyna replaced Paredes.
New York made a sub of their own, Frankie Amaya in for Yearwood. Wikelman Carmona came on for Caden Clark. United made another change, with the youngster Moses Nyeman replacing Felipe.
Omir Fernandez replaced Tom Edwards who was cramping up. Steven Birnbaum came on for Joseph Mora late.
Last Words on Red Bulls vs D.C. United
Let’s start with the winning team. Credit to DC, they turned up strong and put the pressure on New York from the beginning. They’ll have to monitor the fitness of a few players who had to leave, including match-winner Kamara. Hernan Losada’s tactics were spot on and completely nullified the Red Bulls.
United are now two points off the last playoff spot in the East. This was a big confidence boost going forward as they play lowly Cincinnati next week on the road.
As for New York, where to begin? The title of the article says flat, but that was the worst performance of the season. Against their arch-rivals, they produced one shot on target the entire night. Their four shots in total is the same amount as number of players booked.
Nothing went their way, it wasn’t their night. At times, they launched hopeless balls to forwards that were easily intercepted. The midfield was an absolute zero and Kyle Duncan over-dribbled and tried to do too much. It’s the type of loss that makes the fan base urge for some transfer moves. Red Bulls sit four points from the last playoff spot and have only won once on the road. It doesn’t get any easier when league-leaders New England come to town next week.
