After a dramatic Decision Day victory against Nashville SC, three New York Red Bulls were featured on the Decision Day edition of the MLS Team of the Matchday.
Defender John Tolkin made the featured roster for the fifth time this season, while Head Coach Troy Lesesne is receiving the honor for the first time since he took over the team in May. Carolos Coronel made an appearance on the TotM bench.
Tolkin’s contributions in a shutout performance, and his late penalty kick goal, propelled the Red Bulls to their 14th-consecutive playoff appearance.
On the season, Tolkin has 11 goal contributions across all competitions in 2023 (three goals and 8 assists).
Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel’s shutout performance against Nashville was his 11th clean sheet of the year across all competitions.
The Paraguayan national team starter has helped propel the Red Bulls to the playoffs with only two goals allowed in the last four regular season matches.
Since Lesesne took over for a Red Bulls team that had one win in eleven matches to start the season, he turned things around with a record of 14-11-4 and kept the historic playoff streak alive.
“The players have continually worked this entire time in really challenging circumstances. They continue to believe and they never, ever question whether we could achieve something this season,” Lesesne said.
“I just give them so much respect and appreciation for everything that they put in every day.”
Tolkin, Coronel, Lesesne and the Red Bulls will now move on to postseason play where they will take on Charlotte FC on Wednesday night at Red Bull Arena.
