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

Rain-dampened frustration marked the latest edition of the Atlantic Cup, when D.C. United hosted longtime rival New York Red Bulls on a soggy Sunday afternoon. After just nine minutes of play, lightning forced a 75-minute weather delay – leading to tough conditions and a cranky tenor prevailing afterwards.

Despite serious industry and attempted heroics from the home side during the first half, they couldn’t escape the danger of the Red Bulls’ leading all-time goalscorer, Bradley Wright-Phillips. He combined – once again – with Mike Grella, finishing a pass from "Grelladinho" in the 38th minute, marking the first half’s only goal.

The second, drier half didn’t start much better for D.C. United. In the 64th minute, Wright-Phillips and Sacha Kljestan served up a cross that found Felipe, who fired the ball past Bill Hamid to double the Red Bulls’ lead.

But soon after, D.C. bounced back dramatically. First, Marcelo Sarvas converted a penalty kick just six minutes later. Then – three minutes after that – a Taylor Kemp corner kick and Steve Birnbaum header set up Patrick Mullins on the equalizer. In those three minutes, RBNY let another 2-0 road lead evaporate, and D.C. United regained some more playoff hopes.

Box Score

• 38' – NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips (Mike Grella, Alex Muyl)
• 64' – NY – Felipe (Bradley Wright-Phillips, Sacha Kljestan)
• 70 – DC – Marcelo Sarvas (PK)
• 73' – DC – Patrick Mullins (Steve Birnbaum, Taylor Kemp)
• Full box score
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Three Things

RED BULLS’ ROAD WOES: D.C. fans will particularly delight in hosting a continuing embarrassment for the Red Bulls – New York’s recent tendency to let 2-0 road leads evaporate. This marks the third time it’s happened in RBNY's last four road games.

RED BULL RECORD-SETTERS: On the other hand, Red Bulls fans do have some more to cheer. Bradley Wright-Phillips became the team’s all-time leading goal-scorer during their last game; his goal tonight further cements that record and put him in elite company as one of four players in MLS history to score at least 15 goals in three consecutive seasons. On top of that, Sacha Kljestan notched his 15th assist of the season on the Felipe goal, setting a new single-season record for the club, ahead of Kljestan himself (2015), Thierry Henry (2014) and Eduardo Hurtado (1998).

MARCELO’S MASTERY:
Patrick Mullins scored D.C. fans’ nod for man of the match, and his equalizer deserves celebration. But let’s also give props to Marcelo Sarvas. Not only did his PK bring the game back from the dead for DC, but he battled hard from the beginning. Just look at this:

Next Up

• DC: Wednesday, August 24 at Montreal Impact (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE)
• NY: Sunday, August 28 vs. New England Revolution (2:30 pm ET; ESPN | MLS LIVE in Canada)