The Red Bulls finally defeated New York City FC when it mattered most.
The Red Bulls were unable to pick up a win against their arch-rivals during the regular season, but the club scored twice in the first half to defeat NYCFC 2-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals at Citi Field on Saturday. It broke.
With this victory, the Red Bulls earned a ticket to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2018.
The New York vs. New York matchup marked the first time the region's MLS clubs met in the postseason, and the first time in more than a year that the Red Bulls held the city's club scoreless.
Dante Vanzeil contributed to the victory with a goal and an assist, and Felipe Carballo scored his second goal of the postseason.
In New York's first Hudson River Derby of the playoffs, the Red Bulls took an early lead, NYCFC had only a few dangerous chances and never lived up to the excitement that preceded the rivalry showdown.
And at times, a frustrated NYCFC club played sloppily after being behind.
In the 16th minute, Carballo fired a powerful shot from about 35 yards out, which sailed over a jumping Matt Freeth and into the net.
Red Bulls keeper Carlos Coronel kicked the ball deep into NYCFC's half, and the ball landed at the feet of Carballo, who took a deep shot.
City came close to leveling the score in the 22nd minute when Alonso Martinez attempted a bicycle kick that hit a Red Bulls defender, allowing Coronel to make a save.
The rebound went back to Martinez, who bounced the ball back into the net, but Coronel made the second stop.
The missed opportunity proved costly for NYCFC as the Red Bulls buried their second goal of the night three minutes later.
Red Bulls star Emil Forsberg's corner kick forced Vanzeil into the box and he slotted the ball home to extend his team's lead to 2-0 in the 25th minute.
The Red Bulls' defense was solid for the rest of the game as Coronel made five saves on the night, limiting City's dangerous chances.
