D.C. United’s tasty spring took a sour turn Wednesday at Audi Field, beginning with a looping goal from great distance over a scrambling goalkeeper just before intermission and continuing in a five-minute meltdown early in the second half.
United has made notable strides under first-year coach Troy Lesesne, but on this gloomy night, the flawed hosts did not find their stride until too late, falling to the New York Red Bulls, 4-1, before an announced crowd of 17,417.
Elias Manoel, Cameron Harper and Lewis Morgan scored in the midsection of the match as the Red Bulls (6-2-5) extended their unbeaten streak against United to 6-0-1 in all competitions and took the first step toward retaining the Atlantic Cup, the annual series between MLS founding members.