HARRISON, N.J. — Saturday marked D.C. United’s last regular season match for three weeks and, amid the club’s deficient start to the MLS campaign, the Red Bull Arena visit offered an opportunity to create good vibes entering the long break.
As interim coach Chad Ashton said two days earlier, “You definitely don’t want to have a bad taste in your mouth for that length of time.”
Without injured star Taxi Fountas, United survived one half before being buried by the New York Red Bulls in a three-goal, nine-minute blitz packed with failed clearances and sensational finishes. The 4-1 outcome could have been worse and saddled United (4-7-2) with a four-game winless streak to stare at until the season resumes June 18 in Chicago.