An Entertaining, Dramatic Road Draw

New York Red Bulls 4-4 DC United, April 22, 2026

The games are coming thick and fast. 4th of 5 games in 15 days. A Wednesday night in Harrison, New Jersey against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena (shown above in 2021).

DC's lineup:

Johnson in goal

Kurokawa, Nealis, Bartlett, Hefti in defense

Peglow, Servania, Peltola, Herrera in midfield

Hopkins, Baribo at forward

Subs: Clark for Herrera (77th), Murrell for Hopkins (81st), Markovic for Servania (81st), Stroud for Peglow (93rd).

DC's defense was not at its best tonight, but the offense came to life after 4 straight scoreless league matches, and the result was a very entertaining game. DC showed a lot of character, coming back twice to gain a draw and almost winning the game at the death.

Peglow almost got DC off to a great start, netting the ball in the 5th minute, but offside was called during the buildup. New York grabbed the lead in the 15th minute as Julian Hall split the central defense for a 10-yard goal, and Ronald Donkor doubled it in the 21st minute, taking advantage of a deflected cross in the box that fell right to his feet. DC got one back in the 37th minute as Hopkins crossed from the right side to Baribo, who scored. DC had several other chances, but it was 2-1 New York at the half.

New York boosted their lead to 3-1 in the 52nd minute, as Jorge Ruvalcaba beat the defense on the left side and shot past Johnson to score. But DC found their offense tonight. Two minutes later, Hopkins broke through the defense near midfield and finished to make it 3-2. Five minutes after that, Peglow hit Baribo on a through ball and he finished well to tie the game at 3. Wow.

DC continued to pressure the New York goal. Peglow missed wide left, and Hopkins was thwarted by a great Ethan Horvath save. Then Ruvalcaba beat the left side defense again on a counterattack in the 71st minute to put New York back up, 4-3. But DC was not done scoring, tying the game in the 80th minute, as Hefti crossed to Baribo for his third goal of the game. Hat trick!

Johnson made a great save in the 92nd minute to keep the score tied, and Murrell netted on the last kick of the game, but was called for a foul. 4-4 at the finish.

Next up, to finish this busy stretch: Saturday, April 22 against Orlando, 730pm, Audi Field.