The New York Red Bulls eased past Charlotte with a 5-2 victory and will now take on FC Cincinnati in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Oct 26th, 2023 07:07 EDT
Vincent CarchiettaUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
The first-ever night of Wild Card action in the MLS Cup Playoffs saw great drama as the New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City progressed to the best-of-three stage.
At the Red Bull Arena Troy Lesesne’s side, who had one of the worst offensive records in the Eastern Conference, overwhelmed Charlotte FC in a 5-2 victory. Brazilian striker Elias Manoel scored a hat-trick for the Red Bulls but the goal of the game came courtesy of a stunning free kick from John Tolkin.
The 21-year-old left-back has caught the eye with his all-action performances this season and he scored a brilliant set piece to double his side’s lead.
John Tolkin 🤝 Set pieces@NewYorkRedBulls double their lead over Charlotte. #RBNY // Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/mdlgzFPNH6
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 26, 2023
“He deserves more credit for not only what he does against the ball, but what he does with the ball,” Lesesne told reporters after the game. “This free kick is just special, this has nothing to do with anything coaching.
Tolkin also contributed two assists for his teammates as RBNY ran riot against playoff debutants Charlotte. The young full back has now recorded four goals and 11 assists in an impressive season for his boyhood club.
When do the New York Red Bulls play next?
Despite a difficult regular season campaign, which saw the club part company with previous head coach Gerhard Struber in May, the Red Bulls kept up their playoff streak with an incredible late run of form. They won four of their last five regular season matches, including road wins against Nashville and Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati.
Now safely through to Round One of the playoffs, RBNY will resume hostilities with Cincinnati in a best-of-three series. Cincinnati were the best team in MLS over the regular season, but Lesesne’s team have shown that they can overcome the Eastern Conference winners.
New York Red Bulls playoff schedule
FC Cincinnati vs New York Red Bulls – Sunday 29 October, 8pm ETNew York Red Bulls vs FC Cincinnati – Saturday 4 November, 7pm ETFC Cincinnati vs New York Red Bulls – Saturday 11 November, 2pm ET
