RECAP: Red Bulls Hand D.C. United First Harrison Win Since 2020, 2-1
Following an awful first half, the New York Red Bulls couldn’t recover against rivals D.C. United.
The 2-1 loss at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday was United’s first win in Harrison since 2020.
João Peglow’s two goals, including a possible goal of the year contender, sent the traveling Screaming Eagles into a frenzy.
Meanwhile, a majority of the 18,407 fans left the Atlantic Cup clash feeling bitter and underwhelmed.
Head coach Sandro Schwarz didn’t hold back after the game.
New York and its ever-changing roster of starters have meant cohesion hasn’t been consistent.
However, the defense and poor giveaways were the primary concerns.
“We killed ourselves (in the first half) in the moments when we have the ball. So many situations where we easily lose the ball, then not (having) the energy in the highest level in our counter-press,” Schwarz said.
“Our defense (was) not in a good organization, and then the goals which we concede. This is then a big mistake from our side, from the whole team. It’s not only individual, but from the whole team.”
First Half
In past games, New York has come out as the aggressor and fallen off pace as the game drags on. Saturday saw RBNY look off from the jump. The team was controlling possession but was giving up balls in the midfield.
After about 10 minutes, and a yellow card to DCU head coach and former RBNY head coach Troy Lesesne for dissent by word, the visitors began to play. Coronel was forced into a save around 12 minutes in. Christian Benteke then headed a dangerous ball on goal, forcing Coronel into another save.
Benteke left the match in the 29th minute after going down with an injury. He was able to leave the field on his own.
PHOTO: New York Red Bulls
New York, for its part, began to rebound offensively. Three straight corner kicks in the 26th minute were evidence enough of that, and the ball slowly began to move out of the RBNY end.
In the 32nd, D.C. United midfielder and former RBNY Jared Stroud shot long from the left side. That hit off the post, where another DCU attacker forced Coronel to dive for a save. The loose ball looked prime for Jared Stroud to punch in, but Dylan Nealis cleared the ball at the last second.
Not long after, the dam finally broke. João Peglow netted the opener for D.C. United and put the visitors up, 1-0. An inopportune giveaway by New York allowed DCU to get the quick attack past Tim Parker and catch Coronel off with the strong shot. This also saw Dylan Nealis leave the match with an apparent injury, replaced by Serge Ngoma.
The damage continued in the 44th minute when Peglow netted one of the best goals in Major League Soccer this season. A header pass by Aaron Herrera sent the ball high into the air in the box. Peglow bicycle kicked it from the right side to the opposite netting.
The two goals marked Peglow’s first since joining MLS.
Second Half
New York was quicker in the second half. This was helped by Serge Ngoma, who replaced an injured Dylan Nealis late in the first half. He was soon joined by Noah Eile and Julian Hall. Eventually, New York eliminated all of its defensive wing backs and went full offense.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting gets New York back into it in the 57th minute. Emil Forsberg sets up the Cameroon legend, who gets a point-blank shot from the left side of the net—a D.C. United defender heads the ball in the new – still a Chicago goal, his fourth of the season.
RBNY’s pressure continued, and more chances were created. But United’s defense allowed them to hold on. What also helped was useful delays of the game, including one that earned former NYCFC goalkeeper Luis Barraza a late yellow card.
For D.C. United, Saturday marked their first road win of the season. For RBNY, it was the first loss at home in 2025.
“I think everyone has to take responsibility and improve themselves,” goalkeeper Carlos Coronel said after the match.
“We cannot say one player played well today. I think the whole group was not good enough. This is what we have to improve both individually and as a team. We have to keep more of the ball, show more in the press, and we’ll analyze tomorrow and find solutions.”
Analysis
The New York Red Bulls are still in a transitional phase with the roster. Cameron Harper made his first start since returning from injury. Omar Valencia is more accustomed to starting games now than he was at the beginning of the season. Alexander Hack and Tim Parker, both veteran presences, did not look cohesive with one another on the back line.
It’s strange because New York has the ability, even with injuries, to play well. Wins against Chicago and Nashville proved that. Then the team will go out and look awful against struggling sides like New England and D.C. United.
NYCSN asked Sandro Schwarz after the game if RBNY has an issue playing down to the competition.
“No, we don’t have an issue (with playing down to competition). We have to think in general about what we need in our principals. In our energy level and in our intensity,” Schwarz said.
“This is now our third lost game this season… The last two games we got four points. But, in the end, when we talk about this game, especially in the first half, we have to talk in general.”
In the end, Red Bulls still lack two things:
- A consistent, offensive scoring presence player
- A midfielder playmaker
The latter should be Emil Forsberg. However, the New York captain looked mostly mute during the match in Harrison.
Next up for RBNY is a home game against CF Montreal on April 26. New York will then go on the road to face Inter Miami CF on May 3.
That will be followed up with a midweek road U.S. Open Cup match against defending USL Championship final winners Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC.
PHOTO: New York Red Bulls
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