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New York Red Bulls Vs D.C. United: 3 things we learned – Bill Hamid proves his class

By Chris Smith

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 04: Wayne Rooney #9 of D.C. United passes the ball in the first half against the Philadelphia Union at Audi Field on August 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 04: Wayne Rooney #9 of D.C. United passes the ball in the first half against the Philadelphia Union at Audi Field on August 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 21: D.C. United Ola Kamara and New York Red Bulls midfielder Aaron Long (33) fight for possession in the second half at Audi Field August 21, 2019 in Washington, DC. Kamara scored the only goal for D.C. United in the 2-1 loss. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 21: D.C. United Ola Kamara and New York Red Bulls midfielder Aaron Long (33) fight for possession in the second half at Audi Field August 21, 2019 in Washington, DC. Kamara scored the only goal for D.C. United in the 2-1 loss. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

1. Defences on top

As was the case throughout most of the Eastern Conference on Sunday, the defences were in complete control at Red Bull Arena.

Between Aaron Long, Tim Parker, Steven Birnbaum and Frederic Brillant, the four centre-backs won a colossal total of 29 aerial duels and made five tackles, while the latter made a fantastic goal-line clearance in the second half to keep the New York Red Bulls out.

In all honesty, the likes of Wayne Rooney, Paul Arriola and Tom Barlow didn’t offer anywhere near enough inventiveness in the final third but that is thanks, in part, to some dominating performances at the back.

Next. MLS: Ranking all 23 stadiums. dark

That’s three straight clean sheets for the Red Bulls and four for United. It is the sort of defensive solidity which can make the difference in the playoffs if you can generate something at the other end.

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