Despite having a number of opportunities, including a penalty attempt, D.C. United were unable to put the ball in the net in the first 45 minutes of their Eastern Conference semifinal tie against the New York Red Bulls at RFK Stadium Saturday night.
D.C. United were given their best scoring chance by referee Jair Marrufo, who awarded the home side a penalty in the 33rd minute when he judged that Connor Lade used his hand to deflect Branko Boskovic's chipped cross attempt in the area. Chris Pontius was called upon to take the chance, but his shot was too close to the goaltender, and Luis Robles dove to his right to make the low save.
United's best chances from open play came earlier in the match, when Chris Korb's low laser of a shot was pushed wide by Robles just 90 seconds into the match. 10 minutes in, Andy Najar headed Perry Kitchen's cross wide, while Nick DeLeon did the same thing with his feet to Chris Pontius' cross from the right wing 14 minutes later.
Boskovic had a chance of his own moments before the end of the first half, but he too headed Pontius' cushion header wide of Robles' goal.