RED BULLS IN CONTROL AHEAD OF SATURDAY'S RETURN LEG
The fourth-seeded New York Red Bulls earned a 2-0 win over top-seeded D.C. United in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Red Bull Arena last Sunday. With the win, the Red Bulls head to D.C. for the return leg of the aggregate goals series ahead 2-0.
Thierry Henry led the way for New York, setting up both goals en route to a shutout win. Henry set up Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 39th minute for the MLS Golden Boot winner's third goal of the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs and then found Peguy Luyindula in the 73rd minute.
New York and D.C. meet again in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday, November 8, at RFK Stadium. Kickoff for Saturday's match is set for 2:30 PM ET with NBC broadcasting the game nationally.
New York Advances if:
The Red Bulls advance to the Eastern Conference Final (against either New England or Columbus - New England currently leads 4-2 on aggregate) with a win or draw, regardless of the final score on Saturday. New York can also advance with a two-goal loss as long as they are not shut out. For example, if New York loses 3-1 on Saturday, the series would be tied on aggregate 3-3. New York would win the away-goals tiebreaker and advance.
New York is Eliminated if:
The Red Bulls will be eliminated from the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs if they lose by three or more goals in regular time or lose 2-0 in regular time and then lose in overtime or penalty kicks. *If the Red Bulls lose 2-0 in regular time and go to extra time, the away goals rule is wiped clean. The overtime sessions exist separately to determine a winner for the series, not the second game.
TOP POSTSEASON PERFORMERS SO FAR
- Bradley Wright-Phillips
After a historic 2014 regular season, Bradley Wright-Phillips has showed no signs of slowing down through two games in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs. The 2014 MLS Golden Boot winner scored twice against Sporting Kansas City in New York's 2-1 knockout round win and scored again in New York's 2-0 win over D.C. United in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Englishman has scored the game-winner in both games.
Now with 30 combined goals in the regular season and playoffs, Wright-Phillips is three shy of Roy Lassiter's record of 33 combined goals in 1996.
- Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry set a career high for assists in the regular-season in 2014 and has continued to set up his teammates in the postseason. Through three games, Henry has assisted on three of New York's four total goals, including the game-winning assist on Sunday in New York's 2-0 win over D.C.
- Peguy Luyindula
Supersub Peguy Luyindula came on as a second-half substitute against Sporting Kansas City on October 30 and set up both goals in New York's 2-1 come-from-behind win in the knockout round. Luyindula's performance against Sporting KC earned him a start against D.C. on Sunday and the Frenchman scored New York's second goal in a 2-0 win in leg one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
- Luis Robles
Through two playoff matches in the 2014 MLS Cup Playoffs, goalkeeper Luis Robles has allowed just one goal. He earned his first shutout of the postseason on Sunday in New York's 2-0 win over D.C. United in leg one of the Eastern
