Even to MetroBulls veterans, last night was a tough pill to swallow. The game was back and forth, but the Red Bulls seemed to generate the better scoring chances, while D.C. United seemed frustrated for the vast majority of the game. It was one of those games when you feel like Thierry Henry, Kenny Cooper and company are knocking on the door. And it's going to open. It just...didn't.

Some initial thoughts from last night...

• I'm still trying to figure out what Rafael Marquez did for that first yellow. I watched the replay this morning and didn't see much...
• Luis Robles saved the Red Bulls skin last early night when Leonard Pajoy tried to be too fancy in front of net. If D.C. scores that goal, it's a different game completely.
• Markus Holgersson played the game of his life.
• I still get worked up seeing Joel Lindpere's first half shot roll just inches past the post.
• Watching the replay, Henry clearly encroached on Cooper's first penalty. Some are attributing it to Cooper's stutter step. But Cooper always does that.
• For the second penalty, two trains of thought. One, Cooper should've hit it, no question. Two, you should never have to take a penalty twice.
• Marquez deserved his second yellow. This is unfortunate, because he played a pretty good series of games down the stretch.
• Connor Lade kept Nick DeLeon onside.
• What, in God's name, is Roy Miller doing taking that free kick?