QUEENS, N.J. – New York Red Bulls have advanced to the MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final following a 2-0 win over NYCFC at Citi Field on Saturday evening. Goals from Felipe Carballo and Dante Vanzeir in the first half, energized their defense as they held off a City team that had swept the season series over the Red Bulls in 2024.
New York shocked City early in the first half by cutting off their ability to play the ball into dangerous areas. star striker Alonso Martinez saw few opportunities and was mostly invisible throughout the contest. Conversely, Red Bulls ceded position in exchange for quality goal-scoring opportunities.
The first came in the 16th minute when a long kick from goalkeeper Carlos Coronel found the head of Vanzeir. The Belgian forward flicked it back to Carballo who took a long range effort from outside the box, scoring the game’s first goal. Red Bulls continued to pressure and found their second less than 10 minutes later. A corner kick rattled in the box and found the foot of Vanzeir. His effort doubled the lead and doomed City to a semi-final exit.
The second half saw Sandro Schwarz’s men play a tight defensive game. The physicality did take its toll as team leader Sean Nealis went down after a nasty collision with City defender Justin Haak. City also pushed forward with close chances from Keaton Parks and Hannes Wolf. Unfortunately for the home team, they were unable to break down a Red Bulls team that was more than comfortable with surrendering the possession stats and looking to pick their moments on the counter.
The win is a major confidence boost and the first time that the Red Bulls have been to the Eastern Conference Final since 2018. The team now stands one win away from their second ever MLS Cup Final appearance and away the winner of Atlanta United and Orlando City SC tomorrow afternoon.
STARTING XI:
New York Red Bulls: Coronel; D. Nealis, S. Nealis (62′ Eile), Reyes, Harper, Edelman, Carballo (62′ Stroud), Tolkin, Forsberg (90′ Carmona), Vanzeir (90′ Ngoma), Morgan (90′ Manoel)
New York City FC: Freese; Ilenic (82′ Ojeda), Martins, Haak, O’Toole (90′ Fernandez), Parks, Sands, Wolf (74′ Perea), Rodriguez, Moralez, Martinez
SCORING SUMMARY:
16′ (New York Red Bulls) Felipe Carballo (2) assisted by Dante Vanzeir
25′ (New York Red Bulls) Dante Vanzeir (2) unassisted
DISCIPLINE:
29′ (New York Red Bulls) Daniel Edelman – YELLOW CARD
33′ (New York City FC) James Sands – YELLOW CARD
39′ (New York City FC) Kevin O’Toole – YELLOW CARD
photo by Jordan Bank