The New York Red Bulls pulled off the first big shock of the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs as they built DC United 2-0 on Sunday in the first leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal. New York will take their 2-0 lead to the nation's capital for the second leg next Saturday.
The Atlantic Cup tie didn't resemble any of the three previous meetings between these two sides this season. United came into this one as the favored side, but never really seemed up for the challenge. Meanwhile, fresh off their comeback win over Sporting Kansas City at the midweek, New York always looked the better side.
Given the nature of New York's comeback against Sporting, it was no shock to see them dominate the opening exchanges. It was a bit of a surprise, however, that the goal didn't come until the 40th minute.
Nevertheless, this tie is perfectly poised going into the second leg, and is set up for the neutral. At home, United will be forced to attack with everything they have while an away goal for New York will set them up perfectly.
Possible permutations for the second leg:
New York wins/draws: New York advances
DC wins by a goal: New York advances
DC wins by two goals but New York scores: New York advances
DC wins 2-0: Extra Time Ensues
DC wins by more than two goals: DC advances
Key Moments
20' MISS! Nick DeLeon makes a barnstorming run down the right wing after New York is caught out playing a ridiculously high line, and he plays in a great cross to Fabian Espindola who cannot get control of it.
32' MISS! Dax McCarty has time and space on the edge of the box, but pulls his drive right into the mixer. It's deflected by Luyindula, but his touch sends it just wide.
40' GOAL! Lloyd Sam plays in a fantastic ball to Thierry Henry at the top of the 18, who delicately back heels the ball to a wide open Wright-Phillips who has the easiest of finishes into an open net.
52' SAVE! Sam continues his yeoman's work down the right wing, and floats in a cross to Wright-Phillips at the back post but the Englishman gets no purchase on his header and it's easily held by Bill Hamid.
59' OVER THE BAR! Espindola has time to take the ball down on the edge of the box and uncork a dipping volley but it settles downs softly on the top of the net. Robles always had that one covered.
67' DOUBLE SAVE! Wright-Phillips takes down a long ball and feeds Sam. He works it onto his right foot and has a drive back across goal that's well kept out by Hamid. The rebound falls to the striker, but he has a hard time getting the ball out from under his feet. When he finally does, the keeper makes a second superb save.
71' SAVE! Henry with a lovely piece of skill to create space and he slips in Wright-Phillips! It's a 2-on-1 for the Red Bulls, and he should pass to the wide open Luyindula but he doesn't and shoots straight at Hamid. Oh, that was very selfish from the striker.
73' GOAL! This time it is Luyindula! Henry picks him out with a beautiful ball over the top of the defense, and he nutmegs Hamid after the keeper tried to close him down. United begging for offside there, but he looked on.
76' JUST WIDE! Immediately after another Wright-Phillips effort is deflected just wide, McCarty has a costless header off a corner that he sends inches wide. It should be 3-0.
Player Ratings
New York Red Bulls: Robles 6, Sekagya 5, Olave 6, Eckersley 7, Miller 6, McCarty 6, Alexander 6.5, Sam 8, Luyindula 8, Henry 9, Wright-Phillips 8 Subs: Cahill N/A, Oyongo N/A
DC United: Hamid 8, Boswell 6, Korb 5, Birnbaum 5, Kemp 6, Pontius 6, Kitchen 7.5, Arnaud 6, DeLeon 7, Johnson 4.5, Espindola 7 Subs: Franklin 4, Rolfe N/A
Man of the Match
Thierry Henry. Although he didn't score one, he created both goals. Was consistently superb while on the ball, providing a calm head. He may be getting up there in age, but Henry still has bunches of quality on the ball and can still pick out a pass.