New York Red Bull's Eastern Conference semi-final playoff loss to DC United on Thursday night can provide a positive for the club in the long run according to Tim Cahill.
The Red Bulls were beaten 1-0 by DC in a crazy match at Red Bull Arena which saw two players (Bill Hamid and Rafael Marquez) sent off in the final 20 minutes, a Red Bull penalty scored and then missed on the re-take and an 88th minute winner from Nick DeLeon to give the Washington club a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Australian midfielder Cahill admits it was an emotional exit for New York but is certain that the manner of the defeat will be a good learning experience for some of the squad members.
"I'm gobsmacked," Cahill told reporters after the game. "Football throws up difficult emotions and today there's a lot of emotional players. It can only make some of us stronger.
"We have to just look back over the game. Obviously, we could've won the game, we know it. That's probably why it hurts so much."
