New York Red Bulls Defeat Orlando City 1-0 to Advance to MLS Cup Final
The New York Red Bulls secured a historic 1-0 victory over Orlando City in the Eastern Conference final on Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium, punching their ticket to the MLS Cup final for the second time in club history. Andrés Reyes’ second-half goal, coupled with a stellar performance from goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, lifted the Red Bulls to the franchise’s first MLS Cup appearance since 2008, defying the odds as the No. 7 seed in the playoffs.
A Historic Journey to the MLS Cup
In what has been a remarkable playoff run, the Red Bulls continue to defy expectations. As the first No. 7 seed to make it to the MLS Cup final, the Red Bulls have shown grit and determination, becoming just the second team in MLS history to win three consecutive playoff games on the road. The only other team to achieve this feat was the 1998 Chicago Fire. With a 1-0 win over Orlando, the Red Bulls will now head to Los Angeles to face the LA Galaxy in the championship match.
This playoff success comes in the first year under head coach Sandro Schwarz, who took the reins from Germany's Hertha BSC in the offseason. Schwarz has quickly transformed the Red Bulls into a playoff juggernaut, steering them past defending champions Columbus Crew in the first round and then overcoming New York City FC 2-0 in the semifinals. Now, with a chance to capture the MLS Cup, Schwarz is already proving to be a brilliant hire.
Reyes’ Header Sends the Red Bulls to the Final
The match was a tense affair, with both teams pressing for a breakthrough in a high-stakes encounter. The Red Bulls’ moment came just two minutes into the second half, when defender Andrés Reyes scored the game-winning goal off a precise free kick from fellow defender John Tolkin.
Reyes, who was making his ninth postseason appearance, rose above the Orlando defense to head the ball past goalkeeper Pedro Gallese for his first career playoff goal. The assist was Tolkin’s third in his last nine playoff games, and it was a perfect delivery that Reyes converted with poise. The goal gave the Red Bulls a 1-0 lead that they would defend resolutely for the remainder of the match.
Coronel Shines with Another Clean Sheet
While Reyes provided the offensive spark, it was Carlos Coronel’s stellar performance in goal that made the lead stand up. Coronel, making his ninth career playoff appearance with the Red Bulls, was flawless, making three key saves to preserve the shutout. This was his third clean sheet of the postseason, showcasing his ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure moments. The Brazilian goalkeeper has been a rock for the Red Bulls throughout the playoffs and will be a key figure in their MLS Cup final against LA Galaxy.
Despite Orlando’s territorial dominance, the Lions struggled to translate possession into meaningful scoring chances. The best opportunity for the home side came in the 32nd minute of the first half when Martín Ojeda broke free on the right side and spotted Facundo Torres on the opposite flank. Torres' shot, however, was expertly denied by Coronel, keeping the Red Bulls’ clean sheet intact.
Orlando City’s Playoff Heartbreak
For Orlando City, the loss marked the end of a historic run in the playoffs. Manager Oscar Pareja, in charge since 2019, led the club to its first-ever conference championship match, and the Lions fought hard throughout the game. However, despite controlling the majority of the possession, Orlando City was unable to break down the Red Bulls’ defense or find a way past Coronel.
Pedro Gallese, in goal for Orlando, was unable to make a save in this match, finishing his 11th career playoff start without being called into action. Gallese had allowed just one goal in his previous four playoff starts this postseason, but he had little to work with on Saturday, as his defense struggled to cope with the Red Bulls’ set-piece deliveries and counterattacks.
Orlando’s offensive frustrations were evident as they failed to convert any of their possession into significant threats. After going behind early in the second half, the Lions pushed forward but were repeatedly thwarted by the Red Bulls' resolute defense.
The Takeaways
Red Bulls’ Resilience: The New York Red Bulls have displayed remarkable resilience throughout the postseason, particularly with their road performances. With a defense that has stood firm and an attack that has been clinical when needed, they’ve shown they are more than capable of competing at the highest level. Their victory over Orlando City is another testament to their strength, and they now face the daunting task of taking on LA Galaxy in the MLS Cup final.
Orlando City’s Growth: Despite the loss, Orlando City’s playoff run represents a significant step forward for the club. Under Pareja, the Lions have shown they can compete with the best in MLS, and their ability to reach the Eastern Conference final is a sign of continued growth. They will now focus on improving in the offseason and coming back stronger for another push next year.
What’s Next?
New York Red Bulls: The Red Bulls now look ahead to the MLS Cup final against the LA Galaxy. After their historic playoff run, they will face the challenge of taking on a Galaxy side that has been dominant throughout the postseason. The Red Bulls will need another solid performance from Coronel, Reyes, Tolkin, and McCord to cap off their fairytale playoff run with an MLS Cup victory.
Orlando City: Orlando will now shift focus to next season, where they’ll aim to build on their progress under Pareja. With a strong foundation in place, the Lions will look to bolster their squad and make another push for a deeper playoff run in 2024.
Saturday’s 1-0 victory in Orlando will be remembered as a pivotal moment in New York Red Bulls’ history—a win that puts them within reach of the ultimate prize in Major League Soccer. The stage is set for a thrilling MLS Cup final in Los Angeles, where the Red Bulls will aim to cap off their incredible journey with a championship.
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
