The New York Red Bulls will head to the Eastern Conference Final after beating NYCFC, 2-0, at Citi Field.
"Great performance today," Head Coach Sandro Schwarz said. "I want to say thank you to all the supporters in our stadium, and this was great, great atmosphere in the stadium and our support. It's big win today."
Goals from Felipe Carballo and Dante Vanzeir in the first half, and massive saves from Carlos Coronel, helped lead RBNY to victory.
New York opened the scoring in the 16h minute, when Dante Vanzeir won an ariel duel in the direction of midfielder Felipe Carballo who laced a left footed shot from outside the box into the top left corner.
Carballo scored his second goal of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, both goals have been scored on the road. Carballo has scored two goals in his first postseason with the club, which is tied for the most in franchise history and ranks tied for seventh for most goals scored in the playoffs during a players first season with the club.
Red Bulls added to their lead in the 25th minute as John Tolkin sent in a corner onto the six-yard box that was deflected into the direction of Vanzeir who placed a shot into the bottom right corner.
Vanzeir tallied his 11th assist across all competitions which is the most by a Red Bulls player since Bradley Wright-Phillips in 2018. He has recorded three goal contributions in his last two matches.
Vanzeir scored his fifth goal across all competitions for New York this season and his first career MLS Cup Playoff goal. The Belgian international scored his sixth goal across all competitions. This is the forward’s second goal against NYCFC this season.
Coronel made seven saves en route to a clean sheet.
With the win, Coronel surpasses Tony Meola for second place in franchise history for goalkeeper wins across all competitions. Coronel recorded his seventh career shutout across all competitions against NYCFC in his career.
"I think that the defense sometimes win matches like this," Carballo said. "You have to defend very well, and we did."
"What a feeling, I mean, proud, first of all, proud of the team, proud how we delivered this match," Captain Emil Forsberg said. "It wasn't an easy one. It was about second balls today. It wasn't a beautiful game, but we took our chances and show mentality. We stand it up like a team. And I said it from the beginning, this is what it's all about. It doesn't have to be beautiful all the time. It's about mentality, spirit in the team, believing in yourself, in your teammates. Amazing victory, happy first Hudson River Derby in the playoff as well to win that one. I'm proud. I think a lot of people should apologize to us now, before coming into this, I was sure all the time, but some weren’t. I'm happy about the result, and we're looking forward, we have a big game next week."
In win-or-go-home matches across all competions, the Red Bulls have never lost to New York City, improving to a perfect 5-0-0.
New York have won two road matches during the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, which is the most for the club in a single postseason since 2017.
The Red Bulls have posted two shutouts in the postseason for the first time since 2018.
New York will either host Atlanta United FC or travel to Orlando City SC, depending on Sunday's results, for the Conference Final.
The is the first time the Red Bulls have reached the Eastern Conference Final since 2018.
