HARRISON, N.J. — D.C. United triumphed over the New York Red Bulls with a 2-1 scoreline on Saturday, thanks to João Peglow’s standout performance. Peglow found the net twice in the first half, marking his inaugural goals in the Major League Soccer (MLS), which played a crucial role in ending D.C. United’s four-game losing streak.
Before this victory, D.C. United, with a record of 2-4-3, had a challenging stretch, including a minus-9 goal differential, the lowest in the Eastern Conference alongside CF Montreal. They had not tasted victory since their 2-1 win against Sporting Kansas City on March 8, going winless in five consecutive matches.
The opening goal of the match came in the 35th minute when Luis Barraza launched a long goal kick deep into the opponent’s third. Peglow skillfully directed a header to himself and managed to slip it past the Red Bulls’ goalkeeper, Carlos Miguel Coronel, taking the score to 1-0. This goal marked Barraza’s second career assist and his first since the 2021 season.
The momentum continued as David Schnegg delivered a precise cross from the left, landing at the back post where Aaron Herrera set up a header. Peglow then executed a spectacular bicycle kick, doubling the lead to 2-0 just a minute before halftime.
The Red Bulls attempted a comeback with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting hitting the target in the 57th minute. The ball deflected off defender Lukas MacNaughton, striking the crossbar before nestling into the net, thus reducing the deficit to 2-1.
New York, now with a record of 3-3-3, faced defeat for only the second time since their opening game loss to Cincinnati. In this encounter, Carlos Miguel Coronel recorded three saves for the home team.
For D.C. United, Luis Barraza, who was acquired from New York City FC through a trade in December, secured his second successive start in goal. He concluded the game with two saves. The team had previously relied on Kim Joon-Hong, a 21-year-old in his debut MLS season, for the first seven games. Joon-Hong allowed 19 goals, six of which came in a defeat to San Jose on April 6.