The longstanding rivalry between Red Bull New York and D.C. United often produces memorable goals, flashpoints and late drama.
Wednesday’s meeting at Audi Field was no different.
D.C. United held on to defeat the Red Bulls 2-1 after going down to 10 men for the final 22 minutes of regulation and five minutes of added time.
Following the defeat, Red Bull New York head coach Michael Bradley spoke of his frustration after the Red Bulls conceded two first-half goals that could have been prevented.
“Tonight, in some key moments, we came up a little bit short,” Bradley explained. “We come to play a big game, find ourselves down 1-0, don’t deal well enough with a play at the beginning of the game. For the rest of the first half, push the game in a good way, control things, make some chances. Generally, they struggle to get out of their end.
“Then right before halftime, when we need to be able to deal with a set piece so that we can just get ourselves into the locker room at 1-0, we can’t do it. Now, we have to be ready to regroup quickly and get ready for a big, big home match on Saturday night.”
Red Bull New York could have earned a point had Cameron Harper’s outstretched effort snuck inside the far post. Unfortunately for New York, the post denied Harper by the slimmest of margins.
After D.C. United jumped out to a 2-0 first-half lead, a bizarre sending off in the 68th minute handed a lifeline to the visiting Red Bulls.
Red Bulls Dominated Territory But Were Unable To Find An Equalizer
United captain Lucas Bartlett received a second yellow card for delaying the restart of the match. With the hosts down to 10 men, the Red Bulls, who were controlling possession and dominating time spent in the final third, pinned D.C. deep in their own end.
Substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting rounded D.C. United keeper Sean Johnson and found the back of the net in the 71st minute after Emil Forsberg sent him through with a neat flick.
The duo had entered the match in the 57th minute as part of a Red Bull New York quadruple substitution. Midfielder Sekou Kone made his third career MLS appearance.
“Sekou has had a really good stretch,” Bradley said. “He’s improving in big ways really quickly. So he’s a guy that we’re going to continue to push along. He has good starting points for a young midfielder. When he’s gotten his chances, he’s been ready. We’re really pleased with Sekou’s development in this last period.”
Sean Nealis Plays First Match Against Red Bulls, Earns Bragging Rights Over Brother Dylan
D.C. United defender Sean Nealis made his first appearance against his former club after a December 2025 trade sent him to the nation’s capital. The 29-year-old center-back missed April’s 4-4 draw at Sports Illustrated due to a broken collarbone.
In a battle of the Nealis brothers, it was Sean’s D.C. United side that prevailed over Dylan’s Red Bull New York to claim three points on Wednesday.
Even though the Red Bulls were defeated by their Atlantic Cup rivals, they remain in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Red Bulls will return home to Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday to face Toronto FC. Saturday’s match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on Apple TV.
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