O-Town's 11
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A Cup for Orlando City SC will have to come in the sixth post-season run

• Orlando City playoff run ends on defender’s first post-season goal
• Lions will have to sustain momentum for next run
• Orlando couldn’t bank good chances

By Chuck Wharton

Nov 30, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; New York Red Bulls defender Andres Reyes (4) is called for a high kick against Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire (13) during the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; New York Red Bulls defender Andres Reyes (4) is called for a high kick against Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire (13) during the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images / Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
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Every playoff game involving the New York Red Bulls was improbable. This Eastern Conference final match with Orlando City SC was no different.

The Orlando City SC defense did its job. Except for getting a score from the three shots on goal by the Lions, the offense did its job. The players created chances.

The New York Red Bulls got only one shot on goal. But that was the one that scored and ended a great post-season run by Orlando City. Both side’s supporters saw an extension of the most improbable playoff run in years.

 Recognizing that the Red Bulls head to the LA Galaxy for the MLS final – and might win it – only begins the list of improbable incidents.

The Red Bulls have had to play all their post-season matches on the road. They are the only team other than the 1998 Chicago Fire FC to win three post-season road games.

It’s not unique that the lone, winning goal was scored by a defender. But the 47th-minute score by Andres Reyes is his only MLS Cup playoff goal and his second of the season in all competitions. He was assisted by Tolkin, another defender – the all-time leader in defender post-season assists.

Reyes is now only the third defender in that franchise’s history to score in a playoff with Tolkin in 2023 and Tim Parker, in 2018.

Red Bulls Head Coach Sandro Schwarz became the 12th coach in MLS history to lead their club to the MLS Cup match in their first season. He’s only the fifth since 2004 and the fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Orlando City got off three shots on goal but couldn’t get past Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. In their other chances, the opponents’ backline proved completely solid.

Facundo Torres
Nov 30, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando City midfielder Facundo Torres (10) kicks the ball against the New York Red Bulls during the first half in the 2024 MLS Cup Eastern Conference Final match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images / Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Facundo Torres got his best chance in the 32nd minute but lost the one-on-one with the Red Bulls keeper. In the second half, Ramiro Enrique earned a chance from a Lions goal kick but ran into the Red Bulls defenders.

Orlando got to this match through strong achievements season long, including 59 goals – more than any other Lions squad. Head Coach Oscar Pareja noted that the squad has grown significantly.

Orlando City SC got this close to the MLS Cup final match in their fifth consecutive post-season run under Pareja. But they’ll have to win it during the sixth successive run.

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