In what was a poor performance all around, the Red Bulls fell 4-1 to DC United at RFK Stadium Sunday afternoon.

The Red Bulls' defensive vulnerabilities finally caught up to them, as DC took advantage of numerous defensive lapses and the goals from Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper largely dried up.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that the Red Bulls are missing Wilman Conde, Roy Miller and even the suspended Rafa Marquez, as the short-handed squad was was ripped apart by a surging DC squad.

Debutantes Connor Lade and Victor Palsson had nightmare performances, but it will be Stephen Keel who will be singled out for his poor performance that allowed DC to build its 3-0 halftime advantage.

Player Ratings

GK Ryan Meara

Meara will look responsible for the bad score line, but truth is it could have been worse. Had some big saves late to deny DC United two goals, showing his shot-stopping ability. The 21-year-old could do nothing about the four goals proving it's the New York defense, not keeper.

Player Rating: 7

RB Jan Gunnar Solli

Was part of a right side that was the only bright spot of the Red Bulls attack for most of the match. Solli had a few good crosses including one Thierry Henry almost buried. He share some responsibility on the third goal for not closing down Nick DeLeon.

Player Rating: 6

CB Stephen Keel

Didn't close down well enough on the first goal, and was bullied by Maicon Santos on the second. Keel was slow and indecisive, and a real defensive liability. Brought off at halftime for Tyler Ruthven.

Player Rating: 3

CB Markus Holgersson

The Swede had his hands full with Chris Pontius all game. Holgersson made to look foolish on the striker's last goal, as he failed to block off the attacker as he bore down on goal.

Player Rating: 5

LB Connor Lade

Lade had a nightmare first half as he set up Pontius' third goal after a Maicon Santos cross got caught under his feet. The rookie out of St. John's was bullied off the ball in the build-up to DC's third goal. Lade's passing was erratic and he didn't really get forward. Got better as the game wore on and DC backed off.

Player Rating: 5

RM Dane Richards

Had a few good runs forward. Found Kenny Cooper in the box a few times, but the former Portland man could do nothing with the service.

Player Rating: 6

CM Dax McCarty

McCarty was part of an unfamiliar partnership with Victor Palsson, and it really showed. The ball didn't move very well through the midfield, and McCarty has to share part of the blame for that. Pressed forward into a more attacking role, he looked threatening at times.

Player Rating: 5.5

CM Victor Palsson

Another nightmare debut for a young Red Bull player. The young Icelander was bullied by Maicon Santos on the second goal and comically knocked the ball into his own box on the third as he lost his footing. Didn't defend particularly well and looked lost going forward.

Player Rating: 4

LM Medhi Ballouchy

Didn't do anything bad, but wasn't really doing anything good either. Ballouchy really drifts inside and shows no threat down the left flank. Looks much better when linking up play coming out of the middle of the park, but without Marquez, there wasn't too much of that type of play.

Player Rating: 5

ST Thierry Henry

Gave the ball away poorly on the first goal, but did his best to make up for it while struggling to spur the Red Bulls attack forward. Almost scored a brilliant goal in the 31st minute that was just deflected wide and scored a late goal off a free kick. But it was too little too late.

Player Rating: 6.5

ST Kenny Cooper

Perhaps his worst game so far as a Red Bull by Kenny Cooper. Had a few good opportunities, but was largely indecisive and ineffective. Was often too cute in the box, looking to link up with teammates instead of going at goal. Cooper's hold-up play is really one dimensional, as he looks to tap back to teammates instead of holding the ball and waiting for a good pass.

Player Rating: 4

Substitutes

Tyler Ruthven (45th minute)

Didn't play as bad as Keel, but that probably had more to do with DC than his hard work. Could have done more on the fourth goal.

Player Rating: 5.5

Joel Lindpere (45th minute)

Stretched the Red Bulls attack along the left flank. Lindpierre looked more attacking, but was unable to find an opening.

Player Rating: 6

Jhonny Arteaga (81st minute)

Didn't have time to make an impact.

Player Rating: INC

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