D.C. United delivered a remarkable comeback to reach the Eastern Conference semifinals. They'll need another to advance another round.
Down a goal and entering a venue where it hasn't won in three years, United attempts to avoid a second consecutive playoff ousting by the New York Red Bulls in Sunday afternoon's second leg.
New York followed up its Supporters' Shield with a 1-0 victory in Washington in last Sunday's first leg, with Dax McCarty scoring off Sacha Kljestan's free kick in the 72nd minute and the Red Bulls holding D.C. without a shot on goal.
United needs to win and score at least twice to secure its first conference final since 2012, with a 1-0 decision forcing extra time.
D.C. couldn't overcome a 2-0 first-leg deficit as the top seed in last year's semifinal matchup with New York, though it did come through when behind earlier in these playoffs. United spotted New England a one-goal lead in the Oct. 28 knockout round before rallying for a 2-1 victory on Chris Rolfe's goal in the 83rd minute.
The task may prove more challenging this time, as New York has won nine of its last 10 MLS matches at Red Bull Arena and owns a six-game streak there over D.C. United. Two of those victories came by a combined 5-0 score during the regular season.
D.C.'s last road win in the series also came in an East semifinal, a 1-0 decision played in a freak snowstorm on Nov. 8, 2012. It's been shut out in its last four visits to Red Bull Arena.
"They're as good in New York as any team in this league. It's a very tough place to play," United coach Ben Olsen said. "I don't care. That doesn't concern me or these guys. It's a great challenge now to go in there and get the result that we need."
For Olsen's side to advance, it will have to generate some offense as well as neutralize Bradley Wright-Phillips, who recorded three of his team-leading 17 goals in the Red Bulls' two home wins over their longtime rival this season.
New York will be without one of its top defenders, however, with Damien Perrinelle out for the rest of the playoffs after injuring his knee in the opening leg. Ronald Zubar replaced him and committed a hard tackle in the second half that Olsen said he believed warranted a red card that wasn't called.
"(Perrinelle) had been a huge part of what we've been doing," Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles said. "He was a huge part of (the last match) while he was in there, but then it also continues to speak about the belief we have in this team and guys. For Zubar to step in there the last 45 minutes was huge for us."
D.C. United gets defender Bobby Boswell back after being suspended for the first leg for a dangerous play during the knockout round. Backfield mate Sean Franklin and midfielder Chris Pontius are questionable.
Pontius, who scored the game-tying goal in the knockout round, also missed the first leg with a hamstring injury, while Franklin left last week's match with an ankle issue.
