WASHINGTON, D.C. - The D.C. United reserves fell to the visiting New York Red Bulls reserves 1-0, on a Mike Magee penalty kick. The United reserves fall to 6-4-1 and have one reserve game remaining next weekend in Houston, while the Red Bulls improve to 5-5-1.
The United reserves controlled play early in the match, as the team maintained possession, but were unable to create any significant goal-scoring chances. Forward Matt Nickell connected on two headers early on, but one flew over the bar and the other fell directly into the hands of goalkeeper Jon Conway.
The lone goal of the game came in the 34th minute, when a long ball from the back found Jerrod Laventure streaking into the goal box with defender Devon McTavish hot on his trail. Laventure's touch appeared to get away from him - and was promptly scooped up by goalkeeper Nick Rimando - but contact from McTavish brought the lumbering forward down just inside the penalty area. The referee determined Laventure to be on a breakaway and thus ejected McTavish with a swift red card and awarded the Red Bulls a penalty. Rimando was able to get a touch to Mike Magee's ensuing strike from the spot, but the ball found the back of the net and gave the Red Bulls a lead they would not relinquish.
Despite being down a man for the remainder of the game, the United reserves had the better of play, controlling the ebb and flow of the game throughout most of the second half. Just minutes after entering as a halftime substitute Josh Gros connected with a Justin Moose cross, but his glancing header went wide of the right goal post.
Though D.C. enjoyed the majority of possession, it was New York who had the better goal-scoring opportunities. In the 66th minute, Magee laid a ball off to Jordan Cila who struck a first time shot towards goal, requiring a diving save from Rimando. With only a few minutes remaining, Joe Vide collected a ball 25-yards from goal and sent a screamer towards net that careened off the crossbar.
In the end, Magee's penalty was the only mark in the scorekeeper's book, as neither team was able to score a goal in the run of play.
United will finish off it's reserve division schedule next weekend in Houston, as D.C. meets the Dynamo on Sunday, October 1, at 10:00 a.m.
Scoring summary:
NYRB - Mike Magee (penalty) 34
D.C. United: Nick Rimando; David Stokes, Devon McTavish, Bryan Namoff (Leo Cullen 46); Andy Metcalf, Clyde Simms (Rod Dyachenko 78), Brian Carroll (Josh Gros 46), Justin Moose, Stephen deRoux; Robert Sseejjemba, Matt Nickell (Kelvin Jones 62)
NYRB: Jon Conway; Peter Canero, Taylor Graham, Todd Dunivant; Blake Camp, Joe Vide, Mike Magee, Josmer Altidore [Hugo Lourenco 18 (Edson Buddle 76)], David Arvizu; Jerrod Laventure (Mike Behonick 46), Jordan Cila
Game statistics:
DCU - Shots: 11, Saves: 5, Fouls: 10, Corner kicks: 1, Offsides: 2
NYRB - Shots: 6, Saves: 5, Fouls: 10, Corner kicks: 1, Offsides: 1
Misconduct summary:
DCU - Devon McTavish (ejection) 34
NYRB - Joe Vide (caution) 47
DCU - Josh Gros (caution) 66
