NEW YORK — Dante Vanzeir played a pivotal role in the New York Red Bulls’ 2-0 win over New York City FC during the Eastern Conference semifinal at Citi Field on Saturday night. Vanzeir not only assisted Felipe Carballo’s first-half goal but also added one of his own just nine minutes later. Carlos Coronel secured the shutout, recording his seventh clean sheet against NYCFC.
As the seventh seed, the Red Bulls are set to face the winner of the semifinal clash between the ninth-seeded Atlanta United and the fourth-seeded Orlando City for a chance to compete for the conference championship and eventually the MLS Cup.
The Red Bulls took the lead early in the match, with Carballo unleashing a notable left-footed effort from 25 yards in the 16th minute, marking his second goal in three playoff appearances. Prior to this match, Carballo had yet to register a goal or assist in the league’s regular season, despite making five starts and eight total appearances.
Vanzeir extended the Red Bulls’ advantage to 2-0 in the 25th minute with an unassisted goal. Over the course of three postseason starts, Vanzeir has accumulated two goals and an assist, showcasing his ability to perform in critical moments.
Coronel’s standout performance in goal included six saves, further demonstrating his skill as he minimized scoring opportunities for NYCFC. Throughout his playoff career, Coronel has allowed just 11 goals in eight starts, all with the Red Bulls.
For NYCFC, Matt Freese recorded one save but allowed four goals in his four postseason starts. His previous playoff experience included a start in 2021 when he filled in for the Philadelphia Union’s Andre Blake due to COVID-19 protocols.
To reach this semifinal, the Red Bulls triumphed over the defending champions, the Columbus Crew, winning 1-0 away and securing a victory in a shootout at home following a 2-2 stalemate in regulation.
On the other hand, NYCFC made its way to the semifinals by overcoming third-seeded FC Cincinnati, winning 3-1 at Citi Field and securing a dramatic 6-5 shootout win after a scoreless away match.
With 14 consecutive postseason appearances, the Red Bulls are still in search of their first MLS Cup title.