The second match at Audi Field on Wednesday was a sobering reality check for D.C. United. The fairy-tale opener 11 days earlier — full house, sensational goals, spectacular sunset and comprehensive victory — gave way to biblical rain, a much smaller crowd, malfunctioning video board and, most disturbing, an early deficit against a chief rival.
United was never quite right, responding slowly after kickoff was delayed 79 minutes and falling to the New York Red Bulls, 1-0, before an announced crowd of 15,655.
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored in the second minute for his 100th regular season goal as the second-place Red Bulls (13-5-2) extended their unbeaten streak against United to six and won for the sixth time in seven outings.