For the 14th straight season, the New York Red Bulls have reached the MLS Cup Playoffs. On a beautiful night for some playoff soccer, Red Bull Arena was buzzing! Charlotte came in with their first playoff appearance as a franchise and looked to quiet the Red Bull supporters early. The Red Bulls beat Charlotte FC 5-2 to advance to the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
From the first whistle, New York looked like the more prepared and seasoned team. The Red Bulls controlled the ball significantly in the first 10 minutes of the game. After Elias Manoel launched a shot into the seats a few minutes prior, he found the back of the net in the 10th minute to put New York up 1-0 early.
Charlotte pushed the pace as play resumed, and Enzo Copetti nearly equalized the game with a rocket shot. Copetti’s shot was destined for the right corner of the net, but Red Bull keeper Carlos Coronel laid out to make a tremendous save to keep New York on top.
Charlotte Defenseman Adilson Malanda was issued a Yellow Card in the 25th minute, setting up a free kick for the Red Bulls. John Tolkin lined up and did what he has done all year—scored. He launched an absolute missile into the upper corner of the net and New York looked in control 2-0 just 20 minutes in.
A young fan cheers on the Red Bulls during their 2023 MLS Playoffs opener. (Photo by Riley Lorenz - JSN)
The dominance continued later in the half as the Red Bulls seemed to always have control of the ball on the Charlotte side of the pitch. In the 37th minute, Tolkin found Manoel who buried the ball in the upper right corner of the net and it was 3-0 New York.
Charlotte threatened in extra time but once again Coronel came up with a huge stop, capping off an exciting first half.
The second half started out fast. Charlotte was finally able to break through and get on the board. Kerwin Vargas received a headed pass from Karol Swiderski in the center box and found pay-dirt, cutting the Red Bulls’ lead to 3-1. New York struck right back minutes later, though, as Tolkin found Tom Barlow—who put New York back up three goals and made it 4-1.
Back-and-forth we went, however, as Charlotte scored once again in the 64th minute to cut the lead to two goals once more. The momentum of ball control seemed to have shifted in the second half. New York, while trying to conserve the lead, was letting up too much pressure on the defensive end.
In the 78th minute, Elias Manoel put the game to rest. On a breakaway, Manoel once again found the back of the net for his third goal of the night—putting New York up 5-2. Fans rained hats down onto the field and Red Bull arena was rocking for Manoel’s hat trick. New York’s defense held strong to cap off an incredible opening match to the MLS Cup Playoffs.
John Tolkin was named Man of the Match with a goal and two assists. New York travels to face FC Cincinnati on Sunday for the first of a three leg set.
