RBNY ARITHMETIC: A numerical guide to Red Bulls vs. DC United

The New York Red Bulls took a 2-0 lead against Atlantic Cup rivals D.C. United last weekend in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With the second leg ahead on November 8, the Red Bulls have a chance to clinch a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. Tickets for RBNY’s potential final home match are available for online purchase, or by calling 1.877.RBSOCCER.

• READ: The Weekly: Red Bulls set for second leg of Eastern Conference semifinals

Here are some important numbers to keep in mind ahead of the second leg on Saturday.

• 1 – With the new away goal tiebreaker in place, one away goal by the Red Bulls at RFK Stadium this Saturday would mean D.C. would need to score at least four goals to have a chance of winning the series. The aggregate winner after two legs will meet either the Columbus Crew or New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference Finals.
• 3 – Thierry Henry has assisted on three of the four total Red Bull goals in two playoff games thus far, including a backheel to Bradley Wright-Phillips. The New York captain finished the regular season tied in third on MLS’ assist list with 14, and has now provided 17 total assists this year.
• 10 – Since 2003, 10 out of 12 teams entering the second leg with a two goal lead have gone on to win their series. The leading teams have a 4-5-3 in the second leg and a team trailing by two goals has overturned the advantage and won the series just twice in MLS history (San Jose, 2003; Kansas City, 2004).
• 30 – Bradley Wright-Phillips has scored three times in two playoff games, giving him a combined 30 goals in 2014. The MLS Golden Boot winner has scored the game winner in both playoff games, increasing his total to eight game winning goals this year. Wright-Phillips is three shy of Roy Lassiter’s record of 33 combined goals in 1996.
• 100 – Peguy Luyindula has played 100 minutes in the Red Bulls’ MLS Cup Playoff campaign, and contributed one goal and two assists. His 73^rd minute strike clinched the 2-0 lead for New York heading into the second leg against D.C. where they will look to close out the series.

The second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday, November 8 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET (TV: NBC).