The New York Red Bulls face Eastern Conference champions D.C. United in the first leg of the Conference Semifinals Sunday, November 2 at Red Bull Arena.
The playoff matchup will be their first since 2012 when D.C. eliminated the Red Bulls in the Conference Semifinals 2-1 on aggregate.
Regardless of Sunday’s result, New York will travel to RFK Stadium next week for the second and final leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday November 8. This is also the first year MLS has installed the away goals rule, which means that if the teams are tied in total goals scored after two games, the team that has scored more goals away from home will advance.
The first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on November 2 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. will begin at 4:00 p.m. ET (TV: MSG). For tips and directions on how to get to the game, check out the Red Bull Arena Transportation HUB.
Here are some important statistics and a look back at the Red Bulls’ three prior meetings with D.C. United.
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 13-10-11 (1-0 in 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs)
- Last Five Matches: 4-1-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips (27; 2 in playoffs)
- Assist Leader: Thierry Henry (14; 1 in playoffs)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (111; 1 in playoffs)
D.C. United
- Record: 17-9-8
- Last Five Matches: 3-0-2
- Leading Goal Scorer: Fabian Espindola/Luis Silva (11)
- Assist Leader: Fabian Espindola (9)
- Saves Leader: Bill Hamid (110)
All-Time Regular Season Series – New York vs. D.C. United
- D.C. United leads series, 23-33-9
- Series tied at Giants Stadium/Red Bull Arena: 13-13-5
- Red Bulls lead series at Red Bulls Arena: 3-1-2
April 12 – D.C. United 1, New York Red Bulls 0
The first meeting at RFK Stadium was decided early by D.C. United. In the 4th minute, a corner kick sent in by Fabian Espindola was flicked on by Bobby Boswell to Davy Arnaud who headed in the goal at the far post.
New York would get their chances to equalize. In the 54th minute, Kosuke Kimura swung in a cross to Thierry Henry who uncharacteristically pushed his open header over the bar from just outside the six-yard box. Perhaps RBNY’s best chance came from Peguy Luyindula in the 73rd minute when he struck a bullet towards the high near post, but it bounced off the post and out of play. New York had 19 shots, but none were able to find the back of the net. D.C. would go on to win 1-0.
August 31 – D.C. United 2, New York Red Bulls 0
The New York Red Bulls returned to RFK Stadium looking to avenge their prior defeat this season, while D.C. was trying to continue their positive form to remain in first place. New York nearly went ahead in the 31st minute when Chris Duvall’s cross found Bradley Wright-Phillips at the top of the six-yard box, but his header was saved by Bill Hamid.
The Red Bulls would again get their chance to take the lead when Tim Cahill found space inside the penalty area, but his low rolling shot to the far post would bounce off the woodwork and be cleared by D.C. The home side would took the lead in the 57th minute when Luis Silva ran past the Red Bull defense, poked the ball past a charging Luis Robles, and slotted away his goal. Eddie Johnson put away the game with a 91st minute goal and D.C. United would go on to win 2-0.
September 10 – New York Red Bulls 1, D.C. United 0
The I-95 rivalry moved to Red Bull Arena for the third and final regular season meeting between RBNY and D.C. United. In the 32nd minute, Fabian Espindola, in his first game back at Red Bull Arena, received a red card by official Mark Geiger for a challenge on Dax McCarty.
Afterwards, tempers flared between the rivals when things got heated between Roy Miller, Sean Franklin, and Davy Arnaud, resulting in a yellow card for Roy Miller. New York created numerous chances to take the lead, but Lloyd Sam played the role of the hero when he tucked away a 90th minute goal to win the game 1-0 in dramatic fashion.
