Both City and Red Bulls Clinch Playoff Spot

The New York Red Bulls and NYCFC are both awarded spots in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs due to the results across the conference on Saturday evening. The news comes hours after City handled Red Bulls to move above them in the table for the first time in months. While it is an extension of Red Bulls’ 15 year run of making the playoffs, it is City who will more than likely celebrate more as they return after missing out last season.

It was draws from Philadelphia, Atlanta, Charlotte and Toronto that secured the positioning for the two New York based clubs. The Eastern Conference has been chaotic but Red Bulls and City have consistently garnered points enough to solidify their position, albeit both have situations that they will feel need improvement.

For the most part Red Bulls have held on to the fourth place position, one that would see the club have home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs. City was on the outside looking in until this past weekend when they hopped Red Bulls into that position. That lasted mere minutes as Orlando City pushed past both with a win, leaving City in fifth and Red Bulls in sixth.

NYCFC will be at home for their final two home games against FC Cincinnati and Nashville, both games at Red Bull Arena. Red Bulls will head out on the road, first to Toronto and then to Atlanta where they hope to avoid a dreaded one-game playoff in the lower part of qualification. Last year they were able to win that game but it would signify less of an improvement than what was sought after head coach Sandro Schwarz was brought into the club.