The New York Red Bulls reached the MLS Cup, besting Orlando City in a cagey 1-0 Eastern Conference final. It marks the Red Bulls’ second trip to the final after finishing as the runner-up in 2008.
New York was comfortable working off of Orlando’s cues as the away team, ceding 60.1 percent of possession to the hosts and keeping a strong defensive shape thanks to the backline and homegrown midfield pairing Daniel Edelman and Peter Stroud.
Right wing back Cameron Harper did his part to create a gilded opportunity early in the second half, going to ground as Orlando winger Iván Angulo shoved him in the back down the Red Bulls’ right wing. Left back John Tolkin sent in inch-perfect service on the ensuing free kick, placing his cross just between Pedro Gallese’s far post and the Red Bulls’ targets. Center back Andrés Reyes rose to prod the ball into the net, giving the narrow edge that New York was able to protect.
ANDRES REYES WITH AUTHORITY 😤@NewYorkRedBulls take a decisive lead in the Eastern Conference Final!
Audi // #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/oftdCBEvep
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 1, 2024
Ultimately, Reyes was among the most involved players despite his role as a defensive anchor. The Colombian received the game’s first yellow card in the 24th minute after a poorly timed tackle on Facundo Torres. The defender wisely played a clean game for the ensuing forty minutes, including the set piece that sent New York to the MLS Cup.
Reyes risked being sent off in the 66th minute as his attempt to clear a ball caused his boot to meet Duncan McGuire’s face. Ultimately, center official Rosendo Mendoza blew the whistle but didn’t show a second yellow, keeping a key Red Bull available for next Saturday’s final. On the whole, New York established a physical advantage with tactical fouls and outfouled Orlando 20-9, only two resulted in a yellow card.
Red Bulls captain Emil Forsberg, the squad’s most credentialed player after a successful career in Europe and appearances for Sweden in the 2018 World Cup and two European Championships, said reaching the final validated his decision to move to MLS.
“This is why I came,” Forsberg told Apple TV. “I said I wanted a challenge, I think it was the perfect challenge for me. I am so happy we did it. No one actually believed in us but we did it and also, it is not finished. We have one more game.”
The return to the final comes in what was anticipated to be a year of transition for New York. After years of adhering to the Red Bull Football ideology, with play characterized by counter-pressing and capitalizing on attacking third turnovers, New York appointed Sandro Schwarz as coach in mid-December 2023.
Instead, Schwarz’s side looked to more proactively generate their chances and improve shot selection. After averaging 13.8 shots per game in 2023 on 31.3 percent accuracy and an average xG per shot of 0.097 (or a 9.7 percent historical likelihood of those chances resulting in a goal), this year’s team has improved in all three categories: 14.0 shots per game, 37.1 percent accuracy and an xG per shot of 0.116.
(Jeff Rueter / The Athletic)
As crucial as Schwarz’s fresh thinking has been, the arrival of Forsberg, arguably the most talented international signing by the club since Thierry Henry’s 2014 retirement, has also been significant. The Sweden international has been a needed talisman for the team’s attack but played a more supplemental role on Saturday against a focused Orlando defense. Forsberg was limited to just one shot and one chance created but set a season-high mark with 95.5 percent passing on 22 attempts and 100 percent accuracy in the final third.
New York began its run to the final with a surprising first-round upset of defending champion Columbus Crew. At the time, it looked like a shock result that could be the reward for a transition year. Instead, it may be a needed exorcism of past demons as the franchise hopes to win its first MLS Cup. After all, Columbus beat New York in the 2008 MLS Cup.
(Photo: Mike Watters / Imagn Images)
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