New York Red Bulls clinch first MLS Cup berth in 16 years

Orlando and the Red Bulls entered this match as surprise finalists; they were the fourth and seventh seeds in the East and neither was tapped for a deep playoff run. But Orlando coach Oscar Pareja and Red Bulls coach Sandro Schwarz leveraged clever, cagey, defensive play to power past strong opposition and turn the Eastern Conference table on its head. Orlando took out Charlotte FC and MLS Cinderella story Atlanta United to earn its spot in the final; the Red Bulls knocked out the Columbus Crew and local rival NYCFC.

“We’re the underdogs,” said Red Bulls midfielder Daniel Edelman before the match. “They gave us the seventh seed, and it’s like everyone’s counting us out, and we’re just here to show everyone that we’re a bunch of dogs on the field.”

That’s precisely what the Red Bulls did. From the opening whistle of the Eastern Conference final the Red Bulls were on the front foot. They were aggressive but not hot-headed; conservative but not boring. Their defensive line of John Tolkin, Sean Nealis, Dylan Nealis, Andres Reyes and Cameron Harper repelled every last Orlando attack with a minimum of fuss. And while the five held their defensive shape beautifully, they were also a major part of the Red Bulls attack: it was Tolkin and Reyes who combined for the game’s winning goal.

What a goal it was. John Tolkin — a 22-year-old fullback on the fringes of the United States Men’s National Team squad—delivered a glorious curving assist toward the far post of Orlando’s goal. It could not have been placed more perfectly. There was just one spot in the box where Orlando’s defenders couldn’t reach the ball, Orlando’s goalkeeper couldn’t defend it and the Red Bulls could head it into the net. Tolkin managed to find it cleanly, and his efforts just might earn him another look from USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino.

The Red Bulls will represent the Eastern Conference in the MLS Cup Final on Saturday, Dec. 7.