Red Bulls advance to Eastern finals despite 2-1 loss to DC United in 2nd leg

WASHINGTON -- Peguy Luyindula scored his second playoff goal in as many games and the New York Red Bulls advanced to the Eastern Conference finals despite a 2-1 loss to D.C. United on Saturday.

The Red Bulls advanced 3-2 on aggregate after winning the first leg 2-0 last Sunday on goals from Luyindula and Bradley Wright-Phillips.

Nick DeLeon scored in the first half and Sean Franklin added a late goal for United, which exits the playoffs in the semifinals despite winning the Eastern Conference regular season title.

The Red Bulls advanced past the round of eight for the first time in five attempts and won their first playoff series against D.C. United in five all-time meetings.

Luyindula scored in the 57th minute, hitting a first-time volley of Thierry Henry's cross to give the Red Bulls a commanding advantage. New York's Roy Miller received a red card in the 78th minute.

DeLeon headed in Taylor Kemp's cross from close range in the 36th, and Franklin scored in stoppage time.