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RECAP: Red Bulls Win First Playoff Meeting vs NYCFC, 2-0
The New York Red Bulls left Citi Field with another first against New York City FC, the first playoff win in the history of the Hudson River Derby.
The 2-0 win sends RBNY to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2018.
It was a cathartic moment for the Red Bulls, who lost both games against NYCFC in the regular season this year.
Head coach Sandro Schwarz spoke after the game, reflecting on how the year has gone thus far.
In his first season at the helm, he’s seen the club struggle for stretches.
But when the players are actually able to play the intended system, he’s also seen them overcome a lot, including wins against Inter Miami CF, the Columbus Crew, and now NYCFC.
“It’s our first year together. Great performance today as well,” Schwarz said after the game.
“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, especially then, to win a lot of second balls. The second half we missed some transitions. Then I think in some situations, could be easier than for us, but at the end, it’s normal.”
To date, NYCFC has failed to beat RBNY in any sort of knockout competition. That includes three loses in the U.S. Open Cup (2017, 2018, 2022), one loss in Leagues Cup (2023), and now the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Each of those games were also shutouts.
City also has two loses against the New York Cosmos in the USOC, meaning they have never beaten a local team in a major tournament.
Carballo & Vanzeir Seize Opportunity
PHOTO: John Perd
The Red Bulls struck first in the 16th minute. Carlos Coronel sent a goal kick to the opposite end, toward a running Emil Forsberg. The ball was headed back by an NYCFC player, and headed back again by Dante Vanzeir to Felipe Carballo.
Settling the ball with his right foot, the Uruguayan struck a dart from 35 yards out that slipped between a jumping Matt Freese and the crossbar.
The goal was Carballo’s second of the playoffs and set a tone early. From the time Coronel kicked the ball to it hitting the back of the net, the ball spent just about one second on the turf.
“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.”
That quick thinking kept paying dividends for the Red Bulls. The visitors were able to double their lead in the 24th minute. A corner kick opportunity allowed Forsberg to send the ball into the box, where it hit off bodies without any clear direction. The loose ball fell near Dante Vanzeir on the left side of the box, who one-touched it off the right post and into the net to make it 2-0.
Like Carballo, the goal was Vanzeir’s second of the postseason. Like the previous goal, the time for Vanzeir to act on the shot was about a second.
Despite calls for offside, the goal stood.
Overall, NYCFC had 25 shots, six on target, and were expected to score three goals (2.80) on Saturday. The Red Bulls had nine total shots, three on target, and had an xG ratting just under 1 (0.88). Both these metrics were pretty far off.
To their credit, NYCFC took control of the ball far more in the second half. They had nearly 20 overall shots in the final 45 minutes as they attempted to get back into the match. However, head coach Nick Cushing and his squad could not find a break. Late in the first half, a James Sands cross found Alonso Martinez in the bo,x, but a quick slide by Andres Reyes kept a shot from getting off. Two minutes into the second half, Martinez lined a dart to the right side, forcing a diving save from Coronel. Not long after, Martinez lined a cross to Keaton Parks that was headed just over the crossbar.
It wasn’t for lack of trying that NYCFC didn’t score. The team was not coordinated enough to get close to Coronel and make meaningful chances. Most of their attacks ended with little threat to the Paraguay national team player.
NYCFC also got far more physical as the game wore on. The home team’s first two yellow cards were both for hard takedowns of Cameron Harper at midfield, five minutes apart from one another. Nearing the hour mark, Justin Haak and Sean Nealis both jumped for a ball. Haak’s shoulder collided with Nealis, who went to the ground and hit his head on the turf. The assistant captain looked to be knocked unconscious and was subbed off immediately after he finally got back to his feet.
There was no update on his condition after the match.
City Silent on the Field, in the Stands
The announced crowd of just under 25,000 at Citi Field was split red and blue. The New York City faithful were the majority, as expected. The team’s supporters groups unveiled a tifo ahead of the game showing goalkeeper Matt Freese holding severed heads of a Bull and Lion. The phrase “Trophy Hunter” was strewn across in (before the wind in Flushing destroyed the tifo).
On the other side of the field, the third base line, the Red Bull away contingent, was there in mass. The allocated away section tickets, something close to 600, was easily sold out. The team itself picked up the cost and provided buses to get fans across the Hudson River.
It was a perfect site, but what stands out is how much the tone of the game changed early on.
Think back to the 22nd minute and NYCFC’s chance to equalize. With the ball in the air, Alonso Martinez attempted a bicycle kick that was batted off the line. Martinez got a second crack at the ball and skied it into the third base stands. The reaction of the crowd was loud, but more so for the visitors. The traveling Red Bulls fans were louder for Coronel’s stop than New York City was for the offensive attempt, one of their only ones in the first half.
As the game wore on, NYCFC’s chances became less and less. During the 2024 season, NYCFC had zero wins and one draw when down by two goals. Maybe that set a tone as the Third Rail and other blue supporter groups got quieter. Following the match, discussion on NYCFC forums focused on how the Red Bulls away fans were louder than their own organized side.
It was something even players picked up on.
“The fans who were here were incredible. I think I heard, let’s go Red Bulls more than anything on the stadium,” said Forsberg after the game.
“I was happy and proud for all and to get this victory here with our fans after the two previous defeats. It was important for us to give back as well. It was our duty a little bit to give back, and we did it.
Coach Schwarz echoed that. Following the home win against the Columbus Crew, the first-year head coach was visibly emotional, talking about the fans in the stands rallying the team on.
While more composed on Saturday night, Schwarz made it clear how important those fans were in Citi Field, but also that the team wasn’t done.
“I want to say thank you to all the supporters in our stadium. This was a great atmosphere in the stadium, and our support was great,” Schwarz told the media on Saturday night.
“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 is Red; Will the South be Next?
As the seventh seed, the Red Bulls will watch Sunday’s Eastern Conference Semifinal very closely.
Depending on who wins between Orlando City SC and Atlanta United FC, RBNY could possibly host next weekend’s match.
PHOTO: Lucas Boland/Imagn Images
If the fourth seed Orlando wins, New York will travel to Inter&Co Stadium, a place with a bad history in knockout competitions for RBNY. The team’s last run in a major tournament, the 2022 USOC, came to a halt there in 2022.
The 2024 regular season has been far more positive for New York. The team tied its regular season match in Orlando, 1-1, off a Noah Eile own goal. The game in Harrison went better, with a John Tolkin goal that provided the difference in a 1-0 win.
If Atlanta United wins, New York, the ninth seed in the East, will host the game. This is the Red Bulls’ last chance to host a match in the postseason this year.
In the regular season, RBNY and Atlanta played twice in the latter part of the schedule. The first game in Harrison featured a wild ending with stoppage-time goals by both teams for a 2-2 draw. A few weeks later in Georgia, a heated game saw United take the 2-1 win, with New York firmly in their late-season slide.
Either team would represent the first opponent this postseason not to have a sweep against RBNY in 2024. According to reports, the game will be held on Saturday, November 30, regardless of venue. Regardless of the opponent, the Red Bulls clearly have a chip on their shoulder.
The seventh seed in the East is now one win away from playing in the MLS Cup Final, and they want everyone to know that.
“We’ve seen everything that’s been written about us, people talking about us,” Forsberg said.
“I think even before the Columbus game, I don’t even think they mentioned our name before the game and just went, ‘Yeah, it’s a sweep.'”
“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, but we’re looking forward. We have a big one next week.”
PHOTO: Lucas Boland/Imagn Images
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