D.C. United's disappointing and slow start to the 2013 MLS regular season continued down the wrong path April 14 as it fell 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls. D.C. United is now 1-4-1 through its first six games.
Many of the over 18,000 fans in attendance were college students, taking advantage of the great discounts offered in D.C. United's latest installment of "College Night" at RFK Stadium.
However, the great atmosphere of a perfect night in the nation's capital disappeared quickly.
With Thierry Henry's goal in the 29th minute and Jamison Olave's deflection goal seven minutes later, the New York Red Bulls (2-3-2) easily cruised to a victory in the second of three Atlantic Cup matches this season.
The first half started with promise for the home side, but it was soon clear that D.C. United was again struggling to create on the offensive side as well as lacking accuracy when it came to stopping the Red Bulls' attacking force on the defensive end.
"We're easy to play against," Head Coach Ben Olsen told DCUnited.com after the match. "We're easy to play against from a defensive side and an offensive side. We're not dynamic enough. We're pretty predictable in the way we go about things. That's who we are right now."
Both teams entered the game desperately needing a win to turn around their poor starts.
The Red Bulls took that challenge to heart, passing and moving the ball with precision and ease.
"We got the win tonight because we earned it," Red Bulls Head Coach Mike Petke said to DCUnited.com. "And I think that we did a good job."
In the 29th minute, during a lengthy series of attacks from the Red Bulls, Thierry Henry struck the ball from 23-yards out, narrowly curling around the outstretched hands of D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid, to put the Red Bulls up 1-0.
"And I just, like, hit it, and the ball went in," the French legend said to DCUnted.com, "Sometimes the ball will hit the post. Sometimes the goalkeeper saves it. [Bill] Hamid was outstanding, [as] usual, against us and was again today, but the ball went in."
Seven minutes later, Brazilian midfielder Juninho launched a ball into the box, which found the back of the net after defender Jamison Olave deflected a Brandon Barklage header past Hamid for the second goal.
The goal came shortly after an amazing save by Hamid on a direct on-goal header from Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill.
Looking to spark something in the second half, Olsen decided to bring on midfielder and 2011 MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario, whose inconsistent form and injury problems have surprised many.
Despite the change, D.C. United continued the same poor play from the first half, even though De Rosario was able to get D.C.'s only real chance of the game, with a 79th minute that tested Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles.
After the game, Olsen said he was hopeful about his team's potential to bounce back and recover, but it was clear that changes are imminent if more of the same continues to happen.
"At this point, we have to fix something," Olsen said. "I don't know if we have to look within the league. I don't know if we have to make a trade. That's just stuff we have to figure out. It's a little early, 10 minutes after the game, for me to put my finger on it."
One thing was clear after the final whistle. The New York Red Bulls perhaps had their best game of the season, and D.C. United arguably had its worst.
United hosts the Philadelphia Union April 21 in what has to be a must-win for United.
sports@theeagleonline.com
