D.C. United 2 - 2 New York Red Bulls

DC United began the game knowing that getting at least a point would result in them leapfrogging Orlando, back into the final playoff position. The New York Red Bulls knew that they needed a win to keep pace with their “noisy neighbors” (NYC FC) and Toronto FC in the race for a top two finish. After taking a 2-0 lead, it looked as though the Red Bulls would be heading back to New York with a smile on their faces, but 2 goals in the space of 3 minutes meant that it was instead United that ended the game the happier team.

The first 9 minutes of the game were fairly end to end, with the Red Bulls having slightly better of the play

Then, in the 9th minute, the heavens opened, and the game was suspended for 75 minutes. During this time United unveiled their new sweeper system.

When the game did restart, the worst of the weather had moved on, but the rain continued to fall, and the sodden pitch meant that the ball was played, more than usual, in the air.

With the slippery conditions, there were some tackles that weren’t as well timed as others, with Luciano Acosta earning a yellow card for this one.

In the 38th minute, Bradley Wright-Phillips took a pass on the half-volley and rifled it home to give the Red Bulls the lead

…which he followed up with a water slide style celebration.

For the rest of the half, both teams attacked…

…but neither were able to score, so the half ended with the Red Bulls leading 1-0. As the second half began, it looked most likely that if either team were to score, it would be the Red Bulls.

…and indeed they did score again, in the 64th minute when a Bradley Wright-Phillips pass through the box ran all the way out to the other side, where Felipe connected with it, to slide it past Bill Hamid.

…of course, Filipe proved that he’d enjoyed Wright-Phillips’ earlier celebration, by doing exactly the same.

Six minutes later, Kemar Lawrence jostled former Red Bulls player Lloyd Sam from behind, in the box, and the referee immediately awarded a penalty to United.

Which Marcelo slotted home to half the deficit.

Three minutes after that, a Taylor Kemp cross found the head of Steve Birnbaum, who knocked the ball into the Red Bulls penalty area, where it was headed home by Patrick Mullins, to tie the score.

Both teams then went looking for the winner, with United having the better chances,

…but neither team were able to score again, so the game ended 2-2, moving United back into 6th, and dropping the Red Bulls to 3 points behind Toronto in the race for 2nd.

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D.C. United 2 - 2 New York Red Bulls