MLS Game Summary - D.C. United at New York
(Sunday, June 24, 2012)
From The Sports Network
Final Score: New York 3, D.C. United 2
Harrison, NJ (Sports Network) - Red Bull New York moved into a tie for first
place in the Eastern Conference on Sunday after edging D.C. United, 3-2, in
front of a sold out crowd at Red Bull Arena.
It was end-to-end stuff in the Garden State as New York snapped United's four-
game winning streak thanks to three goals in the span of 35 minutes across
both halves.
United's Chris Pontius and New York's Brandon Barklage bagged braces for their
respective clubs, but it was Jan Gunnar Solli's 55th-minute strike that held
up as the game-winner.
D.C. (9-5-3) still holds the top spot in the East with a superior goal
difference, but New York (9-4-3) is still level with its fiercest rival on 30
points apiece despite having played one less match.
The visitors got off to a flying start by taking the opening kickoff down the
field for the first goal of the game.
Dwayne De Rosario and Danny Cruz worked the ball well down the right flank and
Pontius was able to get on the end of the cross at the near post, nodding it
past Ryan Meara who was caught napping in the Red Bulls goal.
The home side dominated for much of the match after that, and it was a former
D.C. United player who was at the heart of the resurgence.
Barklage spent three seasons with United before being released by the club in
the offseason, but he helped bite the hand that once fed him as he evened the
score for the Red Bulls at the 20-minute mark.
The 25-year-old connected on a corner kick from Joel Lindpere with a flying
volley, beating his defender to the ball at the near post and hammering the
delivery past Bill Hamid with an aerial effort.
New York finally turned its possession into a lead when it went in front in
first-half stoppage time.
Rafa Marquez's free kick was blocked by the D.C. United wall and the rebound
found Barklage at the corner of the box. He grabbed the second goal of his
professional career with a sensational first-time volley that bulged the back
of the net with loads of power.
The Red Bulls continued to dominate on the opposite side of halftime, getting
a third goal for some much-needed insurance.
Lindpere broke free on the left side of the box in the 55th minute and found
Solli with a cross. The Norwegian had his first attempt saved by the feet of
Hamid, but he was able to sweep home the rebound for his first goal of the
season.
It proved to be a pivotal strike as United came storming back 11 minutes
later.
Maicon Santos made the most of a substitute appearance by threading the needle
to find Pontius with a brilliant through ball, and he made no mistake when he
found himself one-on-one with Meara in the box, side-stepping the Red Bulls
'keeper and slotting the ball into the empty net.
Pontius leads D.C. United with eight goals on the season, five of which came
in his two games against the Red Bulls.
He came close to netting a hat trick Sunday night but was ultimately denied as
D.C. came up just short a valuable point on the road.
Both sides return to action on June 30 as New York heads to BMO Field to face
Toronto FC while D.C. United returns home to square off against the Montreal
Impact.
06/24 21:33:51 ET

|