It was a marquee matchup that lived up to its billing. Eastern conference leaders DC United descended upon Red Bull Arena on Sunday with 500 of its loudest supporters hoping to remain in sole possession of the top spot. The Red Bulls and a sold out crowd would have something to say about it, however.
The atmosphere was electric and ready to go but DC United’s Chris Pontius would quiet Red Bull fans down only 30 seconds into the match, scoring DC United’s fastest goal in team history. The Arena would spring to life only two minutes later, however, when Dax McCarty hit a beautiful ball that ringed off the crossbar and was inches from sneaking into the top corner. The Red Bulls would then go on to play their best soccer under Hans Backe for the next 55 minutes. New York pinned DC inside their defensive half and rarely gave DC a chance to attack outside a rare counter-attack, which Ben Olsen was none to pleased with during a halftime interview with NBC’s Kyle Martino. Dax McCarty, Mehdi Ballouchy, and Joel Lindpere consistently were the first to 50/50 balls and cut out the DC passing lanes by applying pressure all over the midfield. It says a lot for the team, without Thierry Henry to push them forward, to bounce back so powerfully and convincing after a very early goal against their rivals. Without their star striker up top and without an experienced central playmaker, NY was forced to the wings early on and could not find the final ball in to be truly dangerous. Most attempts that Bill Hamid had to deal with came from the ball moving around the top of the box towards the center of the 18. Ballouchy was the biggest culprit of this, as he would often look back to Barklage or McCarty and sometimes out wide to Solli or Lade, hoping the final ball would come from one of them. Joe Lindpere played as an auxiliary striker but did his most damage but pulling back into the midfield. Communication between Perry Kitchen and DC’s center backs seemed to be nonexistent on who would pick up Lindpere’s movements.
Dwayne De Rosario is generally the player many expect to hurt his former teams and DeRo’s time with the Red Bulls was short and a bit patchy. De Ro was sitting on 98 career MLs goals and MLS had asked the Red Bulls to honor De Rosario if he happened to get a brace during the game. However, it would be another player who ahs been on both sides of this rivalry that would score a brace. Right back Brandon Barklage spent three injury filled seasons with DC United as a midfielder. NY assistant coach Mike Petke gave Barklage a chance and Barklage has payed back Petke’s faith with interest. The past few games Barklage had been taking corners every now and then but Lindpere lined up to take them on this night and Barklage was the benefactor of Lindpere’s ball in. A lazy De Rosario didn’t expect any player to sprint around him and get a foot on the ball but Barklage did and he now had his first career MLS goal. Just before half, a controversial foul at the top of the box would allow the Red Bulls a free kick in a dangerous spot. DC defender Brandon McDonald may have doomed DC as he stomped out the ref’s line he sprayed down to place the wall. McDonald moved DC’s wall up two steps and was able to get a head to the ball hit by Rafa Marquez. The ball shot up in the air and found its way to Barklage who hit it on the volley first time and placed the ball by Bill Hamid to complete a brace. It was also a great night for Barklage who had a few last minute key stops that prevented DC from getting a true chance on net. Barklage found both his goals on Monday as number 3 on SportsCenter’s Top plays and his second goal is up for MLS Goal of the Week. NY would pad their lead in the 55th after Joel Lindpere found himself in a great position to hit a ball to the back post and to an onrushing Jan Gunnar Solli. Solli hit a great first shot that Hamid saved but fell right back to Solli who used his left foot to kiss the ball off the post and into the back of the net for his first career MLS goal. Solli’s goal was the only goal of the five scored this past week that was not from some form of a set piece. Last season, the Red Bulls rarely were known for scoring off of set pieces and did not have a defender score one goal. What a difference a season makes.
New York still has not played its best starting lineup to date. Henry subbed in halfway through the second half, still having issues with his thigh. Wilman Conde was listed on the bench, although I could not see him there, as he has had muscle tightness. Markus Holgersson, who has vastly improved over the last few weeks, was out with a sprained ankle he picked up in Vancouver. Rafa Marquez, who has missed most of this season with injury and suspension, left late in the game with muscle sore. Marquez did have a solid game back in defense, a spot at the beginning of this season he did not want to play again. Last season, all Red Bull fans could do was lament over lack of depth and minute management by the coaching staff through the Gold Cup and summer months. Now, with the summer portion of the season upon us, fans are breathing a sigh of relief, as this team looks the real deal tied atop the east and still in the hunt for the Supporter’s Shield. Let’s not forget, the transfer market opens this week and while teams will be looking to make moves, NY is still awaiting word on forward Luke Rodgers and will supposedly signing a third DP. New York’s next match is on the road in Toronto.
(image courtesy of newyorkredbulls.com)
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