MLS
WATCH: John Tolkin free kick helps RBNY to Wild Card win
The New York Red Bulls eased past Charlotte with a 5-2 victory and will now take on FC Cincinnati in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The first-ever night of Wild Card action in the MLS Cup Playoffs saw great drama as the New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City progressed to the best-of-three stage.
At the Red Bull Arena Troy Lesesne’s side, who had one of the worst offensive records in the Eastern Conference, overwhelmed Charlotte FC in a 5-2 victory. Brazilian striker Elias Manoel scored a hat-trick for the Red Bulls but the goal of the game came courtesy of a stunning free kick from John Tolkin.
The 21-year-old left-back has caught the eye with his all-action performances this season and he scored a brilliant set piece to double his side’s lead.
“He deserves more credit for not only what he does against the ball, but what he does with the ball,” Lesesne told reporters after the game. “This free kick is just special, this has nothing to do with anything coaching.
Tolkin also contributed two assists for his teammates as RBNY ran riot against playoff debutants Charlotte. The young full back has now recorded four goals and 11 assists in an impressive season for his boyhood club.
When do the New York Red Bulls play next?
Despite a difficult regular season campaign, which saw the club part company with previous head coach Gerhard Struber in May, the Red Bulls kept up their playoff streak with an incredible late run of form. They won four of their last five regular season matches, including road wins against Nashville and Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati.
Now safely through to Round One of the playoffs, RBNY will resume hostilities with Cincinnati in a best-of-three series. Cincinnati were the best team in MLS over the regular season, but Lesesne’s team have shown that they can overcome the Eastern Conference winners.
New York Red Bulls playoff schedule
- FC Cincinnati vs New York Red Bulls - Sunday 29 October, 8pm ET
- New York Red Bulls vs FC Cincinnati - Saturday 4 November, 7pm ET
- FC Cincinnati vs New York Red Bulls - Saturday 11 November, 2pm ET
Confidence will be high in the Red Bulls’ locker room ahead of the upcoming best-of-three series, but Lesesne admitted that his team will need to improve when they take on Cincy.
He told reporters: “My focus now is on Cincinnati. If we play like we did in the second half, then we’re going to have problems on Sunday.”