Dax McCarty scored in the 72nd minute on Sunday, and the visiting Red Bulls beat D.C. United, 1-0, in the first leg of their Eastern Conference semifinal.
After a foul by United’s Taylor Kemp, a long free kick from Sacha Kljestan found McCarty — who had slipped behind the defense — 3 yards out, and a header by McCarty eluded goalkeeper Bill Hamid.
The Red Bulls’ defense was stifling, limiting United to nine shots, none on target.
Mike Grella had a point-blank opportunity inside the 6-yard box in the 33rd minute, but Grella’s shot deflected off Hamid’s face.