Luciano Acosta came up big once again as his effort helped earn a crucial point for D.C. United after a 3-3 draw with the New York Red Bulls Sunday afternoon at Audi Field.
Acosta scored a goal and added an assist while captain Wayne Rooney scored his fifth goal of the season for United. Bradley Wright-Phillips answered for the Red Bulls with a hat trick.
United came out on the front foot to open the match and threatened to open the scoring. In the 5th minute of the game, Acosta sent a right-footed effort from outside the box that sailed just wide of the Red Bulls goal. After the opening minutes, New York found their footing and pushed back against the Black-and-Red. United’s backline was up to the task, though, as Frédéric Brilliant, Joseph Mora and Steven Birnbaum totaled six first-half tackles.
Paul Arriola opened the scoring for United in the 25th minute of the match when Acosta sent a ball through the New York defense and sent him in on goal where Arriola found the back of the net with a right-footed effort that blew by Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles. The goal was Arriola’s fifth of the season while Acosta’s assist gave him 13 in 2018, the most by any United player since Jamie Moreno recorded 14 in 2004.
Wright-Phillips would answer back in the 41st minute when he capitalized on an open rebound inside the penalty box to tie the game at 1-1.
United’s captain would put the Black-and-Red back ahead in the 64th minute when he sent a brilliant flick into the New York goal off a cross from Oniel Fisher. The goal was Rooney’s fifth since debuting for United on July 14.
Wright-Phillips would answer again for New York, though, in the 76th minute when he scored off a pass from Michael Murillo.
Acosta retook the lead for the Black-and-Red in the 87th minute after a remarkable solo effort that saw Yamil Asad set up Acosta inside the penalty area. Acosta controlled the ball patiently and calmly dribbled toward Robles before chipping it over him to make it 3-2 and send Audi Field into a frenzy.
New York would get the last word, though, when Wright-Phillips completed his hat trick with a goal in the 90thminute.
United will next regroup on Wednesday, Sept. 16 when they face Honduran side, CD Olympia in the Telemundo 44 Challenge, presented by Events DC. Then the Black-and-Red will look to defend the District and continue the push for playoffs when they welcome the Montreal Impact to Audi Field on Saturday Sept. 29 at 7PM ET.
