This time D.C. United hasn’t had to wait long. The chance for revenge against the New York Red Bulls has come quickly, and the appetite couldn’t be greater.
The Black-and-Red dropped their first encounter with their Atlantic Cup rivals on March 22 at Red Bull Arena. But they haven’t lost to the Red Bulls at RFK Stadium since 2013, a streak of three straight victories.
D.C. United (3-1-0, 9 points) has also won two straight games, both by shutout, to supplant New York (2-0-1, 7 points) at the top of the Eastern Conference and cement the club’s best start since 2006.
It makes for an early-season tilt with plenty on the line, plenty of animosity, and plenty of history.
Keep an eye out for these storylines:
- D.C. United’s unbeaten streak at RFK Stadium now sits at 13 matches in all competitions, including nine straight in league play. The Black-and-Red are yet to allow a goal at home this year after surrendering a league-low 12 goals at RFK during the 2014 regular season.
- Michael Farfan has come off the bench and played crucial minutes in each of United’s last two games. He’s a player that is confident on the ball, and with three years’ MLS experience in Philadelphia, he knows about the intensity of rivalries along Interstate 95. “I don’t think anyone needs to tell me,” Farfan said. “I’ve watched the games, and I understand what it means. I just hope I can go out there and help the team in any way possible.”
- No matter when the goals come, D.C. United has made a habit of winning when getting the first one. The Black-and-Red were the only team in MLS without a loss when scoring first in 2014 (16-0-1), and they’re 3-0 so far this season.
