Top three moments in Atlantic Cup history: D.C. United edition

As part of the lead up to the first I-95 derby match of the season between D.C. United and New York Red Bulls, we here at Prost Amerika will be taking a look at the top three moments from each side’s perspective. To read the top three moments from the New York Red Bulls perspective, please check New York Red Bulls beat writer Anna Ferkingstad’s excellent piece on Prost. 

Derby matches bring out the best and worst in people. While it is certainly a great opportunity to show off one’s artistic skills (both in the stands and with the referees,) tensions are always high. Tackles have just a little bit more placed into them, songs in the stand are just a tad bit more pointed, and goals matter just a little bit more.

Long before it became cool to talk about Cascadia and humble brag about the good ole days of matches that no one watched or attended, there was only one real derby in MLS. The derby that I am speaking of is of course D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls (formerly New York/New Jersey MetroStars).

While the Red Bulls have certainly had United’s number on many occasions, including last season’s victory in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, D.C. do hold the advantage all-time with forty-one wins ,twenty-three losses, and nine draws.

What are the top three moments during that time? It is kind hard to narrow it down given the twenty years of history. But these are the three moments that stick out:

#3 Mighty Joe Willis

2012 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals: D.C. United 1, New York Red Bulls 0

This series had it all: hurricanes, blizzards, red cards, and two own goals. But perhaps the biggest moment came in the second leg on November 12th when it looked like the Red Bulls were finally going to get past United. They had drawn in the previous leg at RFK Stadium and thus had the advantage on road goals. A red card by goalkeeper Bill Hamid in the 69th minute gave New York the momentum and the chance to best their bitter rivals.

Here is the funny thing about momentum in soccer: in can change with one simple call. After the Hamid red card, United had to scramble for a goalkeeper, bringing in backup Joe Willis for a crucial penalty kick. Coming in with little preparation, Willis was unable to stop Red Bulls forward Kenny Cooper’s shot. But before Red Bulls fans could celebrate, referee Mark Geiger ruled that the goal was void due to encroachment by both Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill. Henry and Cahill, the two players who were brought in to bring the New York Red Bulls a trophy, had just snatched it from their grasp.

With their series-clinching goal thrown out, Cooper would go to the penalty spot once again and try to take the lead. But this time his shot would be stopped by Willis keeping United in the match.

Although they were down a man, United would get some help in the 75th minute when Red Bulls defender Rafa Marquez would be sent off for his second yellow card. With the sides now even, United capitalize in the 88th minute when midfielder Nick De Leon would polish off a pass sent by defender Robbie Russell. De Leon’s goal would lift United past the Red Bulls in what was quite possibly one of the most wild series in MLS history.

 

#2 Eskandarian gives his thoughts on the Red Bull product

April 22, 2006: D.C. United 4, New York Red Bulls 1

New name, same result for the Red Bulls. After changing their name in the off-season from the New York/New Jersey MetroStars to the New York Red Bulls, it was expected that the team would turn over a new leaf and that better days were ahead for them. Unfortunately it did not start out that way as United put a four goal hurting on the soccer players-formerly known as the MetroStars.

While the match itself was not particularly memorable (although one could say watching Youri Djorkaeff score for the Red Bulls was memorable given how little he did in MLS) there was one particular moment that stood. In the 41st minute, United forward Alecko Eskandarian would score the first goal of the match. As opposed to congratulating his teammates and moving on with the match, he opted to pick up a can of Red Bull, take a swig, and then spit it out on the ground at Giants Stadium.

As one could imagine, the Red Bulls players and supporters were none too pleased (as well as the grounds crew. That stuff is toxic to grass). But they were unable to do much to stop Eskandarian as he would score again to help United drop the Red Bulls 4-1.

Was it the most professional thing to do? Probably not. But that is the point of derbies and rivalries: to have shocking moments where things are taken to the extreme. As long as nobody’s hurt and Eskandarian recycled the can then no harm, no foul.

Interestingly enough, Eskandarian now is an assistant coach with a team whose supporters might actually hate the Red Bulls more than D.C. United: the New York Cosmos.

#1 Raul Diaz Arce! It’s in the net!

Game Three, 1996 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals: D.C. United 2, New York/New Jersey MetroStars

The series that started it all. Over the first two matches, both New York/New Jersey and D.C. would get victories on the road setting up a pivotal game three between the clubs.

The third match at RFK Stadium was a tense one. The MetroStars spent the better part of the match trying to keep United from taking the advantage, while hoping to take the match to penalties. MetroStars goalkeeper Tony Meola put on one of the great performances in MLS history, making several sprawling saves.

United would finally break through in the 68th minute thanks to a goal off of a deflection by Steve Rammel. The MetroStars would strike back with a goal by Anthony De Avila in the 86th minute. His low shot to the corner would go past United goalkeeper Mark Simpson who was taken a little off-guard by the chance. The through ball to De Avila was played in by midfielder Roberto Donadoni, which should show you how old this league really is.

But the MetroStars would shoot themselves in the foot just two minutes later when substitute Rob Johnson would trip up United midfielder Marco Etcheverry (a.k.a. El Diablo). On the ensuing penalty, United forward Raul Diaz Arce would bury his chance past Meola to give United the series and give D.C. United commentator Dave Johnson to give his signature line:

 

IT’S IN THE NET!

Sidebar from SM: If you want to check out any of these matches, go on KickTV on YouTube and check them out. For copyright reasons, we cannot stream the service here. But it is good to know the history of the league and some of the great matches that have happened over the course of the past twenty years.