It will go into the 2018 archives as a draw, one point during a late-season dash for an MLS playoff berth and a compelling standoff against a sworn enemy far ahead in the Eastern Conference standings.
But D.C. United’s nutty, manic, jaw-dropping, agonizing 3-3 tie with the New York Red Bulls on Sunday felt like a crushing defeat at a time when the resurgent hosts could barely afford a misstep at Buzzard Point.
Three times, United went ahead. Three times, the Red Bulls — and more specifically, Bradley Wright-Phillips — answered.
The last came in the 90th minute, three minutes after Luciano Acosta had shattered the deadlock.