New York Red Bulls secure Eastern Conference final berth

New York Red Bulls have booked their place in the MLS Eastern Conference final having defeated DC United 3-2 on aggregate.

Thierry Henry came close to extending the visitors' lead in the tie early on when he found the target with his free kick, but Bill Hamid managed to punch the effort away.

Eight minutes before the interval United gave themselves a real lifeline when Nick DeLeon fired home after being picked out by Taylor Kemp.

The Black-and-Red's hopes were dashed shortly before the hour when Peguy Luyindula found the net, however, with the striker bagging a crucial away goal to put his side in command.

Roy Miller's high challenge on Sean Franklin saw him earn a straight red card with a little over 10 minutes remaining, although DC could not find a second until the dying stages when Franklin put the ball beyond Luis Robles, which proved to be too little too late.

New York, who had not beaten United in four previous playoff meetings, will now face FC Dallas or Seattle Sounders in the final.