D.C. United has grown tired of talking about its late regular-season slump. Last weekend’s 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals was meant to put that controversy to rest.
“We knew that when crunch time came around that we were going to be ready. We put together a pretty good performance against New York. We got a result that we wanted,” said Bobby Boswell, who this week was named MLS defender of the year. “Same thing coming to this week. [New York midfielder] Dema [Kovalenko’s] talking in the paper, we know what we’re in for. We just have to go out there and play our game, and if we do that we’re going to get the result that we want.”
The war of words adds a new twist to a rivalry that has been clearly one-sided in favor of United, which has won five of the teams’ six playoff meetings.
The quality of play Sunday should be much improved thanks to RFK’s wide grass field. But with a combined 39 fouls and the way United got under the skin of New York midfielder Amado Guevara in the first leg of the series, another physical encounter would hardly be a surprise. Guevara has three goals and an assist in his last two games at RFK — both losses.
Note: United’s Christian Gomez and Bryan Namoff both received yellow cards last week and will be suspended for the conference finals if they get another and D.C. advances. D.C. backup goalkeeper Nick Rimando is out with a sprained ankle.
New York Red Bulls at D.C. United
» What: United leads, 1-0
» When: 6 p.m., Sunday
» Where: RFK Stadium
» TV: ESPN2
» Radio: WMET-1160 AM, WACA-1540 AM
