Match Report (W9) : New York Red Bulls 4 - 4 D.C. United

Tai Baribo recorded his first hat-trick as a Black-and-Red. His 3rd in his MLS career.

Harrison, NJ — D.C. United traveled to Red Bull Arena for one of the league’s oldest rivalries against New York Red Bulls in the Atlantic Cup, delivering a dramatic 4-4 draw in a match packed with defensive mistakes and individual talent.

New York came out dominant in front of their home crowd, asserting themselves early. In the 15th minute, forward Julian Hall opened the scoring with a composed finish from the center of the box, assisted by Ronald Donkor. Just minutes later, Donkor doubled the lead himself in the 21st minute, capitalizing on D.C.’s defensive vulnerability to make it 2-0.

Despite the early setback, the Black-and-Red showed resilience. Tai Baribo pulled one back in the 37th minute, finishing clinically from the center of the box after a well-worked sequence involving Jackson Hopkins. The goal shifted momentum heading into halftime, with D.C. United trailing 2-1 but growing into the match.

The second half exploded into life with even more attacking intensity. New York extended their lead in the 52nd minute through Ruvalcaba, restoring a two-goal cushion at 3-1. However, D.C. United responded immediately. Just two minutes later, Hopkins found the net, assisted by Peglow, allowing to get D.C. back in the game.

Baribo then took center stage. The Israeli forward completed his brace in the 59th minute, finishing from the left side of the box off a precise Peglow through ball on the counterattack to level the match at 3-3. His movement and finishing proved a constant threat throughout the night.

Ruvalcaba struck again in the 71st minute to give New York a 4-3 advantage, seemingly putting the hosts back in control. But D.C. United refused to back down. In the 80th minute, Baribo rose highest to head home from close range off a Silvan Hefti assist, completing his hat trick and sealing a hard-fought point for the visitors.

There was late drama as Murrell appeared to score a potential winner in stoppage time, but the goal was ruled out due to a foul on a Red Bulls defender, denying D.C. United a remarkable comeback victory.

After the match, head coach Rene Weiler reflected on both the positives and the shortcomings:

“The mentality was great. We came back in an away game. It was tough, today we score 4 goals but it's not enough to take home this win.”

He also pointed to the defensive issues that continue to cost the team:

“We conceded 4 goals, we gave them a lot of opportunities to score goals off the counterattack, we have to play better if we want to win a game like this.”

On Jackson Hopkins’ performance:

“I'm glad he scored his first goal of the season. I think it will give him a push. It's always good when forwards can score goals.”

With the result, D.C. United moves to 2-4-3 on the season, sitting on nine points in the Eastern Conference standings as they continue to search for consistency on both ends of the pitch.

Three Points

1. Baribo’s Hattrick: Tai Baribo registered his first hat trick for D.C. United and the third of his MLS career, registering five shots and leading the attack with clinical finishing.

2. Hopkins Progress: Jackson Hopkins recorded his first goal and assist of the 2026 season, playing a key role in D.C.’s attacking resurgence.

3. Defensive Concerns Persist: Conceding four goals for the second time this month highlights ongoing defensive struggles, previously seen in the 4-0 loss against FC Dallas.

Starting XI

D.C. United (4-4-2):

Johnson; Kurokawa, Rowles, Bartlett (C), Hefti; Peglow (Stroud 90+5’), Servania

(Markovic 82’), Peltola (Clark 78’), Herrera; Baribo, Hopkins (Murrell 82’)

Unused subs: Antley, Bono, Farr, Turner, Kijima

New York Red Bulls (4-2-3-1):

Horvath; Marshall-Rutty, Nealis, Voloder, Dos Santos (Bungi 47’); Donkor, Mehmeti (Berggren 66’); Forsberg; Mosquera (Sofo 66’), Hall; Ruvalcaba (Choupo-Moting 82’)

Unused subs: Cowell, Mina, Parker, Benedetti, McCarthy

Scoring Summary

New York Red Bulls:

Hall (15’) – Assisted by Donkor

Donkor (22’)

Ruvalcaba (53’) – Assisted by Forsberg

Ruvalcaba (72’) – Assisted by Donkor

D.C. United:

Baribo (38’) – Assisted by Hopkins

Hopkins (55’) – Assisted by Peglow

Baribo (60’) – Assisted by Peglow

Baribo (81’) – Assisted by Hefti

Booking Summary

New York Red Bulls:

Mehmeti (51’) – yellow

D.C. United:

Markovic (87’) – yellow

Clark (90+1’) – yellow

The 24 year-old Brazilian midfielder, Peglow, provided 2 assists and has now 3 this season.