HARRISON, N.J. – There was a recurring theme in the New York Red Bulls’ three regular season games against D.C. United this season.
Three times the Red Bulls enjoyed better spells of possession and created a number of chances, and three times they struggled to score. In fact, New York scored just one goal out of 56 scoring chances against D.C. United during the regular season, a problem they’ll need to fix in Sunday’s first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals series in the MLS Cup Playoffs, Presented by AT&T.
“In all the games that we played this year against them we had countless and countless opportunities, we created things, but just for whatever reason [misfired],” head coach Mike Petke said of New York, who went 1-2-0 against DC this year. “I remember the second half in D.C. down there, it was the 1-0 loss the first game we played them, it was perhaps our best half of soccer this year.
“Even the second game, in the heat, the first half we had four or five goal-line opportunities and just [Bill] Hamid came up with a huge save or we were off the mark a little bit.”
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New York outshot D.C. 19-12 in their 1-0 road defeat in April, 18-9 in the 2-0 defeat at RFK Stadium in August, and 19-5 in the 1-0 home win that came via a late winner and man advantage for about an hour. But MLS Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips - whose 27 regular season goals tied the MLS all-time single season record - was unable to put any of his opportunities into the back of the net.
“I don’t think it was too tough to create chances against them,” said Wright-Phillips, who scored two goals in New York’s Knockout Round win over Kansas City this week. “We just have to do a better job putting them away, but they are very organized. They’ve got people that are hardworking and want the three points really bad.”
To D.C. United’s credit, their defense has enjoyed an impressive turnaround. Hamid has taken big strides in his development as a talented young goalkeeper, the offseason addition of veteran Bobby Boswell did wonders, and the club allowed 37 goals during the regular season, fewest in the Eastern Conference.
Still, New York know that they cannot afford to be as inaccurate as they were vs. D.C. in the regular season. Not if they want to keep this postseason dream alive and reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
“We’ve had those opportunities, but now this is the playoffs,” said Petke. “If we get those opportunities, we have to put them away because D.C. is in first place for a reason.”
Franco Panizo covers the New York Red Bulls for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached by email at Franco8813@gmail.com.
