New York City FC 0-2 New York Red Bulls l: summary, score, goals, highlights | MLS Cup Playoffs

Red Bulls on fire.

It may be New York in November but these Red Bulls fans aren't feeling the cold. The away section of the Citi Field was bouncing on the full time whistle as their team saw out an impressive 2-0 victory and secured bragging rights over their closest rivals. 

Tempers flare at Citi Field!

There's plenty of pushing and shoving as both sets of players square up on the field. 

It looks like Maxi Moralez is in the middle of it. He appeared to take objection to some of John Tolkin's post-game celebrations, goading the home supporters. 

It's all cooled down eventually but there's not disguising the animosity between these two teams. 

NYRB come out on top!

The New York Red Bulls advance to the Eastern Conference final, where they will take on either Atlanta United or Orlando City. A massive achievement from Sando Schwartz' team who have upset the odds to make it. 

They're now two games from the first-ever championship in team history. 

Julian Fernandez tries his luck from range but it's well saved by Carlos Coronel. 

That might be that. 

NYCFC win a free kick 35 yards from goal, right of centre. 

It's a decent position for a cross but a very long way for a shot. Can they muster special something here?

A small section of NYRB supporters, tucked away in a far corner, is absolutely bouncing now. 

They're making all the noise as we head into the final minutes of added time at Citi Field, savouring what will be a famous victory for the Red Bulls. 

Santi Rodriguez whips in another corner kick from the left but Tolkin gets up well to head away for NYRB. 

NYCFC are straight back on the offensive and force another corner kick. This time is lands in the six-yard box and Coronel flicks it behind for another corner. 

Santi Rodriguez twists and turns on the edge of the NYRB box, making space for a shot. He takes aim with his left foot but balloons his effort over the crossbar. 

Corner kick from NYCFC finds Perea in the middle but the big midfielder's header is flicked harmlessly over the crossbar. Red Bulls survive. 

We're into nine minutes of added time at the end of the second half. 

Can NYCFC claw their way back into this one?

Counter-attack from the Red Bulls, led by Emil Forsberg. The captain does brilliantly to hold the ball up and roll the ball into the path of Lewis Morgan. 

The Scot strikes his shot firmly but it takes a deflection and loops out for a corner kick. 

The free kick from Rodriguez is cleared for a corner kick. He trots across to take the corner but the Red Bulls manage to rebuff that too. 

NYRB need to dig deep.

They've been on the back foot for much of the second half but the visitors have kept NYCFC at bay so far. Can they hold on?

Another free kick for NYCFC, this time on the other side of the penalty box. 

The Red Bulls are starting to look stretched now. Can they hold on?

Maxi Moralez has sparked into life here and runs in behind the Red Bulls backline. He tries to poke the ball past Coronel but the NYRB goalkeeper gets down sharply to save. 

Parks comes comes for NYCFC!

The ball is whipped in by Maxi Moralez and he finds the head of Keaton Parks. 

He tries to flick the ball in at the near post but his effort is just wide of the target. 

Edelman is penalised for a handball on the left of his own box. There wasn't much that he could do about that, but it's a foul nonetheless. 

Good crossing opportunity for NYCFC now. 

Into the final ten minutes of normal time. NYCFC push forward again, Reyes intercepts again. 

The hosts win a corner kick. Again. 

The Red Bulls defender it well and swiftly break, finding Vanzeir on the right channel. 

He plays a neat ball in-field to his strike partner - Morgan - but the Scot can't bring it under control and the chance fizzles out. 

Keaton Parks tries to make space for a cross from the right but Peter Stroud gets across well to block. Corner kick for NYCFC. 

NYCFC are running out of time here. They're enjoying plenty of possession but they've struggled to generate any clear openings from this resolute NYRB back three. 

Substitute Perea combines well with Alonso Martinez but Reyes does brilliantly to get back and clear the danger. 

That'll be Wolf's final involvement of the game. He's replaced by Andres Perea. 

Slick move from NYCFC finds Hannes Wolf on the right of the RB box. He shifts the ball onto his right foot and shoot at goal from the angle but he drags his shot wide. 

More frustration for the hosts. 

NYRB are shocked into life by that penalty appeal. Good work from Reyes to win the ball back and play it forward, finding Forsberg in the box. 

He spins and shoot and goal but his effort is blocked and spins wide of the target. 

VAR check - Possible penalty for NYRB

There was definitely contact from Haak and Harper took a tumble. 

He certainly made the most of the situation. VAR check ongoing...

Good ball by Edelman finds Harper on the right flank. He charges towards goal, turns and appears to be clipped by Haak. 

Referee says no penalty but that looked like a good shout! Will VAR step in?

NYCFC start to push again and O'Toole darts into the Red Bulls box but Reyes flies into a perfectly-timed sliding tackle to stop his run. 

More good work from the NYRB defender. 

That long injury break has robbed NYCFC of a little of the momentum that they had built up, but they're coming back again now. 

Late challenge from on Peter Stroud on James Sands. He's very lucky to avoid a booking there. 

Nealis is able to walk from the field but his night in done. Double change for NYRB. 

Noah Elie and Peter Stroud come on for Felipe Caballo and Sean Nealis. 

The stretcher is out for Sean Nealis here. The NYRB defender is moving around but he looks very groggy. 

Haak is back on his feet now but Nealis is receiving a lot of attention here. 

The RB defender got across well to stop Haak's progress but he got a hard whack against Haak's shoulder. He landed with a real thump when he hit the ground too. 

Will Nealis be able to continue?

Big collision in the box between Justin Haak and Sean Nealis.

Both sets of medical staff on the pitch immediately. 

As we approach the hour-mark, will Sandro Schwartz be considering a change? 

His RB side are looking a bit rattled at the start of the second half and they're struggling to keep the hosts at bay. 

The corner kick is cleared by the Red Bulls and they manage to win a throw-in on the far side. 

But the possession is quickly lost and NYCFC are back on the offensive. The hosts are starting to turn the screw, Rodriguez is getting on the ball and dictating the play. 

NYCFC continue to push and win another corner kick. There's a real urgency from the hosts now, they're starting to build that momentum...

Good pressure from NYCFC wins a corner kick. 

Rodriguez goes across to take it and whips in a teasing ball across the six-yard box but there's no one there in a blue shirt to connect. 

The game is getting a bit stretched now as both teams look to play forward with pace. It's opening things up a lot for NYCFC but they're also leaving gaps for the Red Bulls to exploit. 

Suddenly the Red Bulls are on the attack again and it's Forsberg who runs it into the box. He's barged to the ground and wants a penalty but the referee says no. 

The hosts curl in a teasing cross from the right flank and Keaton Parks meets it well with a header. He makes a good connection but heads it over the crossbar from six yards out. 

He should've done better!

Nealis is back on his feet and NYCFC are in a rush to get things going at the start of the second half. 

You sense that the first ten minutes will be crucial for the hosts. They need a quick start to build a bit of momentum here. 

Dylan Nealis

The Red Bulls defender is penalised for a foul on Rodriguez but then clatters into Haak. That was a heavy hit. 

The teams are out.

Both sets of players are back on the field. It doesn't look like there's any changes at the break. 

Painting the town red.

The Red Bulls have local bragging rights at the halfway stage in this Eastern Conference semi-final. But they'll know that they can't afford to let-up, this NYCFC have plenty of talent and have come close to the goal at points already today. 

WATCH: Red Bulls double lead with Dante Vanzeir goal.

If the first goal for a moment of inspiration, the second was pure opportunism from Dante Vanzeir. The striker goal-scoring has been questioned this year but he's now scored two goals in the playoffs and tonight's could prove crucial. 

WATCH: Felipe Carballo goal fires NYRB ahead.

Doesn't get much better than this, does it?

When the ball was poked to the Uruguayan midfielder 25 yards from goal, few expected him to do this. A sensational moment of quality that gave Matt Freese absolutely no chance in the NYCFC goal. 

New York Red Bulls flying with first half lead.

Could that have gone any better for head coach Sandro Schwartz? The visitors have looked assured at Citi Field and take a deserved advantage at the break. 

Let's have a look back at their two first half goals...

Another sharp counter-attack from NYCFC but Andres Reyes gets across well for the Red Bulls and makes a crucial interception. 

Good strength from Morgan to hold the ball up and win his side a free kick on the halfway line. The Red Bulls play it short, all the way back to Coronel, and the goalkeeper finally punts the ball long. 

We're going to have four minutes of added time at the end of the first half. 

This match-up of formations doesn't seem to be working to the benefit of NYCFC. The Red Bull back three has kept the hosts' attackers quiet and the front two of Morgan and Vanzier looks a real threat. 

Lewis Morgan and Dante Vanzier are getting through a lot of work for NYRB, occupying the NYCFC backline and poses a threat in behind. Their energy has been a constant feature of the Red Bulls' play this year. 

Into the last five minutes now. NYCFC are starting to push a bit but the Red Bulls are still presenting a threat on the counter. 

NYCFC break with Santi Rodriguez but he runs into a forest of Red Bull midfielder, losing the ball under heavy pressure. 

Kevin O'Toole

Heavy challenge form O'Toole in the midfield and he goes into the book.

The free kick is drilled in to the near post but Freese does well to claim the ball. 

NYRB come forward again and win a free kick high up on the left flank. 

The big men are coming up from the back, good crossing position for Emil Forsberg. 

Lightening-quick counter-attack from the Red Bulls with Harper tearing into the box. He takes a tumble after colliding with Sands and falls to the floor, demanding a penalty. 

Referee says no, free kick to NYCFC. On second viewing, correct decision. 

As we head into the final ten minutes of the first half NYCFC are looking to push the pace. A long ball out to Ilenic on the right gets them moving forward but Tolkin does well to get a foot in. 

James Sands

The NYCFC midfielder is booked for a late challenge on Cameron Harper. 

It's Forsberg who takes the corner kick but it's overhit, floating out for a goal kick on the far side. That's a waste for NYRB. 

Emil Forsberg wins a corner kick for the Red Bulls. 

NYCFC will have to have their wits about them this time...

So, what do NYCFC do now?

Their game plan has worked fairly well so far, pinching the ball high up the field and driving straight at the Red Bull's backline. But they've been stunned by two goals - a long-range screamer and a set piece - that give the visitors a solid lead. 

Red Bulls lead 2-0 against NYCFC.

The NYRB media team is straight to the point with with one. Dante Vanzier's close-range finish gives them a 2-0 lead. 

Hold on, it'll be checked by VAR. 

NYCFC believe that Vanzier was in an offside position...

Both teams look really dangerous with the counter-press, successfully winning the ball back off opposition defenders multiple times in the opener stages here. 

Red Bulls win a corner kick. 

Another decent opening for the Red Bulls and Edelman floats a neat ball over the NYCFC defence and into the path of Vanzier. He tries to nudge the ball past Freese but he's muscled out by a recovering defender. 

It'll be a free kick for the Red Bulls but both Sean Nealis and Hannes Wolf get a talking-to from the referee for their part in the disquiet there. 

That opener from NYRB doesn't seem to have dimmed the passion of the home crowd at all and the hosts are straight back on the offensive. 

There's a heavy tackle in the midfield and both sets of players want a foul. The two teams come together for a bit of pushing and shoving. 

Tensions high, already. 

Yup, that covers it.

What a start to this game! The Red Bulls lead through a stunning 25-yard goal, rifled right into the top corner from the Uruguayan. 

Both teams have been really resolute in their defensive work so far. 

You can tell it's a high stakes Game, there's very little space to play in the midfield and both teams are playing one- or two-touch. 

Another good run down the left from Rodriguez and he's in behind the NYRB backline. He looks to be in on goal but Sean Nealis does brilliantly to get back and put a tackle in. 

Red Bulls clear the danger.

Both teams will be fairly happy with how the opening 12 minutes have gone. 

NYCFC have had more of the ball but the Red Bull have kept them at an arm's length, and even made a few forays forward of their own. 

Santi Rodriguez is felled by Dylan Nealis on the left wing, winning a free kick for his team. 

The NYCFC man wants Nealis to be booked by the referee thinks otherwise. Rodriguez isn't happy about it. 

Powerful run forward from Ilenic down the right flank for NYCFC, bursting into the Red Bulls half before he runs out of room. Throw-in for the hosts. 

The corner kick is cleared but only out for a Red Bulls throw-in. That, however, comes to nothing. 

Nearly an opening for the Red Bulls as Dante Vanzier pounces on a loose ball in the NYCFC penalty box but recovering defenders manage to block the effort. 

Corner kick for the visitors.

NYCFC go bold with their tifo.

There's not much chance of neighbouring love in New York City today. The hosts are looking to make a statement, as this tifo makes pretty clear. 

The corner kick is taken short and NYCFC work a neat move but can't quite find the final pass. 

Goal kick for the Red Bulls. 

Daniel Edelman loses the ball in the midfield and NYCFC have a chance to break. Santi Rodriguez tries to play in a teaMMAte but it's cleared for an NYCFC corner kick...

Plenty of touches for the NYCFC midfielders in the early stages. James Sands and Keaton Parks are getting on it well. 

It looks like the Red Bulls are sticking to the three-at-the-back formation favoured by Sandro Schwartz throughout this season.

Will that cause them problems on this narrow Citi Field pitch, with less space for their wingbacks to exploit?

Carlos Coronel punts the ball long for NYRB but NYCFC defend it well.

It's a high-intensity start in the first of the 2024 MLS Cup conference semi-finals. 

NYCFC look to get forward from the start, looking to play their way through this high-octane press from the Red Bulls. 

Great atmosphere inside Citi Field today with hosts NYCFC making themselves heard from the off. 

Nick Cushing ready for historic matchup.

Just before the action gets underway in NYC, here's what head coach Nick Cushing had to say about the stakes for his New York City FC side today. 

He knows that victory against the Red Bulls would be a moment to cherish for fans and players alike.

Final preparations ahead of Hudson River Derby.

If the New York Red Bulls need a moment of inspiration today, you wouldn't bet against captain Emil Forsberg being the man to provide it. The Swedish playmaker has added a touch of class to the Red Bulls forward line this season and he proved decisive in the victory over Columbus in Round One. 

MLS

What happens if there’s a tie in the MLS Cup playoffs? Extra time, penalty shootout

Both NYCFC and the New York Red Bulls secured passage to the Eastern Conference semi-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout victory. Could we see the same again tonight?

MLS Cup playoffs tie-breaker

New York City is bouncing!

We're expecting a bumper crowd at Citi Field today. New York City FC are looking to make a second successive Eastern Conference Final and would dearly love to eliminate their city rivals in the process. 

As head coach Nick Cushing said: “If you can't get yourself up for a semi final against your rivals with a chance to progress. You're playing the wrong sport."

Emil Forsberg lead the Red Bulls in.

The Swedish international has been a star for NYRB this season, kitting things together and adding some much-needed guile to their full-throttle attack. He scored in the victory over Columbus Crew, can he repeat that performance today?

MLS

Lewis Morgan aims high with New York Red Bulls: “I want to win everything”

Over the summer New York Red Bulls star Lewis Morgan spoke exclusively to AS USA to reflect on his astonishing return from long-term injury. 

“I don’t really think that many people had lofty expectations of this group at the start of the year."

"You can use that as a driving factor. I think the manager came in here with a point to prove as well, and the group of players have a point to prove.”

Lewis Morgan, comeback king

Heating up ahead of Hudson River Derby.

New York City FC will be the host team tonight and the home fans are making themselves heard outside of Citi Field. There's little over half an hour to go until kickoff now, tensions are on the rise. 

Lewis Morgan hits hot streak for NYRB.

After suffering serious injury and missing most of a year, Lewis Morgan has been making up for lost time in 2024. The Red Bulls forward has been in incredible for this season and bagged the MLS Comeback Player Of The Year award after helping his team back into the postseason for a 15th consecutive season. 

New York Red Bulls relishing the postseason challenge.

What should we expect from the New York Red Bulls today? For all their talent they haven't always been able to find consistency but they now find themselves just three games from glory. 

"We are having a good season, but we haven't always been rewarded for our strong performances. We have made up for that now," head coach Sandro Schwartz said ahead of today's Game. 

"As I said, it's like a new competition, all or nothing. A big challenge. We only think from opponent to opponent, with the knowledge that we can beat anyone."

And here's the New York Red Bulls line up...

No major surprises for the visitors. Emil Forsberg wears the captain's armband.

What is the Hudson River Derby?

You may have noticed that the phrase 'Hudson River Derby' has been used a lot in our coverage so far. Well, it will continue to feature heavily. Here's a look back at where the term came from and what it means...

What is the Hudson River Derby?

Home crowd out in force.

The MLS Cup playoffs has never before seen a Hudson River Derby. This first-ever post-season meeting between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls looks set to be one to remember. 

Recap: Red Bulls shock Columbus Crew.

There had been some hope that the Red Bull's high-intensity style of play could disrupt the Crew's metronomic rhythm, but did anyone really see that pulling off a win. NYRB played at their scintillating best against the reigning MLS Cup holders and got their just deserts, winning on penalties to knock out the champions. 

Recap: NYCFC hold their nerve against Cincinnati.

Few gave NYCFC a chance going away to Cincinnati for Game 2, even given their shock win in the opening game of the best-of-three series. In the end it was a nervy affair, with NYCFC coming out on top in a dramatic penalty shootout. 

Let's take a look back...

Both these New York teams overcame tough opposition to make it through to the Conference semi-finals. NYCFC knocked out 2023 Supporters' Shield champions FC Cincinnati, while the Red Bulls beat reigning MLS Cup holders Columbus Crew. 

Here's another look at those games...

NYCFC home crowd can make the difference.

“We know that as a team we play a huge part in making that night special. If I recall the Miami playoff game, the Cincinnati game, and many other games that we've had there in front of our fans, there's going to be a packed crowd.

“We're really proud that we're going to have 24-25,000 of our people in there, but we have to play our part in getting the atmosphere [going] and delivering a performance - in playing our way.

“I think together, if our fans bring the passion and are right behind us from the off, and we play on the front foot, I think it will give us every chance of putting in a good performance.”

Local bragging rights on the line in New York.

NYCFC may be the younger brother, but they can claim to have surpassed the Red Bulls in terms of postseason achievement. Despite being one of the league's founding clubs the Red Bulls - formerly the MetroStars - have never won a championship. 

Could this be their year?

MLS

New home puts New York City FC closer to Manchester City

In recent days NYCFC were able to announce further details of their long-awaited new home, with the stadium's name confirmed for the first time. Given their links to Manchester City, no prizes for guessing what they're calling it...

NYCFC name new home

Red Bull fans make themselves heard at CitiBank Field.

This is a home Game for NYCFC but expect to see plenty of red jerseys in the crowd. Games in the Hudson River Derby are always feisty affairs but today's matchup will have a real bite. 

MLS Cup Playoff fixture: Conference semi-finals

After a two-week pause, the MLS postseason action returns this weekend with four mouth-watering matchups across the two conferences. Which teams will book their place in the conference finals?

MLS

Riqui Puig questions MLS Cup Playoff format

LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig has had a season to remember this year but he's not happy with one element of the MLS postseason. Is the Spaniard right?

What's wrong with the MLS Cup Playoffs?

The scene is set.

There's a perfect blue sky above CitiBank Field in preparation for tonight's Eastern Conference semi-final. This is the first-ever postseason meeting between the two New York sides, which team will come out on top?

MLC Cup conference semi-finals begin!

After a mid-tournament hiatus for the November international break, the MLS Cup playoffs are back. 

First up, it's an all-NY affair with New York City FC playing host to the New York Red Bulls. Both teams pulled off major shocks in Round One, one of them will see their postseason journey ended tonight...