DC United 2, New York Red Bulls 0 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

Alicia Rodriguez

D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls met in their first Atlantic Cup game of the 2016 season on Friday, with D.C. winning 2-0 at RFK Stadium.

The hosts opened the scoring 20 minutes in, as Patrick Nyarko set up Marcelo Sarvas with a perfect throughball into the box to the Brazilian. Sarvas then sent a low cross through the box to Alvaro Saborio, who tapped it into an open net.

Nyarko added a goal just before the break, as he poked home Lamar Neagle's cross from the right flank.

Box Score

20' – DC – Alvaro Saborio (Marcelo Sarvas, Patrick Nyarko)
43' – DC – Patrick Nyarko (Lamar Neagle, Alvaro Saborio)
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Three Things

A NEW DAWN? D.C. won comfortably enough that the second half seemed more like a formality, and the feisty play expected in this rivalry more or less dissipated. United are one of the league's inconsistent outfits so far this season, so is this a win they can build upon to stay above the red line?
SPIRITS SUNK: While a rivalry game on the road is never easy, the Red Bulls have to be concerned with the flat performance they gave on the night. The defense fell asleep on both of D.C.'s goals, and with a couple of exceptions the attack never looked like it was clicking. After picking up seven points in their last three games, the Red Bulls appear to be headed back to the rut that marked the opening part of their season.
GOOD GAME FOR NYARKO: The Ghanaian was at the center of the D.C. goals, including notching his third of the season. But his pass to set up the first, unlocking the Red Bulls' defense, was the play of the night.