The conference semifinals are underway in the MLS Cup Playoffs as we switch to the single elimination portion of the competition.
Here is what has gone down so far.
NYCFC 0-2 New York Red Bulls
Scorers: Carballo 16′, Vanzeir 24′
The New York Red Bulls took bragging rights in the first ever Hudson River Derby in the playoffs, booking their ticket to the Eastern Conference Final.
It was all Red Bulls from the off as their high-pressing system benefitted greatly from the narrow confines of Citi Field, and it did not take long for them to find the opener.
After a Carlos Coronel goal-kick, the ball fell to Felipe Carballo and the Uruguayan lashed the ball into the roof of the net from distance to open the scoring in style.
But the visitors were not done there, as a deflected clearance of a corner found its way to Dante Vanzeir just eight minutes later and the forward tapped home from close-range.
While NYCFC pushed to pull themselves within touching distance, their usually clinical attackers seemed to leave their shooting boots in the opening-round of the playoffs.
The Red Bulls will now await the winner of Sunday’s showdown between Orlando City and Atlanta United.
Still to come
© John Jones-Imagn Images