New York City officially runs red.
The New York Red Bulls made a statement in the Eastern Conference Final of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs with a 2-0 win over New York City FC. The first-ever playoff New York Derby glowed red from start to finish.
NYCFC dominated in the stat game, holding close to 65 percent of the possession and 25 shots (six shots on goal) as opposed to the Red Bulls’ eight shots and six shots (three shots on goal). Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel earned his seventh career clean sheet against New York, saving all six shots on goal.
Head coach Sandro Schwarz spoke on the match.
“It’s our first year together,” Schwarz said. “Great performance today as well. I would say in the first half, we had very good situations, also in our offense behavior, and in the second half, it was more our defense quality and to fight to help each other. I think this was the key today, and especially then also to win a lot of second balls… 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, but at the end, it’s the next step, and we have to continue this hard work, and next week is the next game.”
New York opened up the scoring in the 16th minute when Dante Vanzeir won a duel in the air and directed it toward midfielder Felipe Carballo, who took a shot from outside the 18 that found its way to the top left corner. This was Carballo’s second goal in the playoffs, with both coming on the road. The Red Bulls would score again in the 25th minute after Vanzeir found the bottom right of the net from a corner kick taken by defender John Tolkin. The Belgian forward has three goals in his last four matches and has been integral to the club’s success during their playoff run.
“When I scored, I didn’t believe it at first, but it’s something great for me and for the team because we can win,” Carballo said. “I have a lot of confidence in myself. I think that it’s very important for all the players. You have to try and I try and I score, so I have to continue doing that.”
The Red Bulls went into the half with a 2-0 lead and put on a defensive show to keep that lead and keep their own net clean. The defense blocked four shots and came away with 18 clearances. After the last New York Derby resulted in a lopsided outcome, the Red Bulls ensured their statement was heard at Citi Field.
“Our plan was that we have Emil (Forsberg) in the center against (James) Sands in our pressing,” Schwarz said. “I think we had a lot of good moments in the first half and in the second half we had too many moments where we were as a team, too deep in these situations. But at the end, Andres Reyes in box defending. He was top today. He was so good today, and also other center backs, and it’s important, especially when (Keaton) Parks comes in the box, to defend against him, against the strikers, that 10 position, our box defending was very well in these situations… But we were directly in the game. We had good moments, and now we are very happy. We are satisfied, but now we have to keep this level, to keep this focus for the next step.”
New York now awaits the outcome of the semifinal match between Orlando SC and Atlanta United to decide who they will face in the Eastern Conference final match. With Atlanta being seeded ninth, their victory would ensure one last match at Red Bull Arena. After the crowd that showed up in Queens for the Red Bulls, a home match would be greatly wanted for the club.
“The fans who were here were incredible,” Captain Emil Forsberg said. “I think I heard, let’s go Red Bulls more than anything on the stadium. So, I mean, I was happy and proud for all and to get this victory here with our fans after the two previous defeats. I think it was important, for us to give back as well. It was our duty a little bit to give back, and we did it. What a conference final. Let’s go.”
