Get to know the matchup in Keys to the Game, presented by Honda:
Red October
The Red Bulls have won four-consecutive matches and five out of their last six, with the latest coming in a 5-2 drubbing of Charlotte FC.
They are undefeated in the month of October.
New York, who struggled with scoring goals for most of the season, now has 16 in their last six matches, including two in a win against FC Cincinnati.
Now, they head to Cincinnati to take on the Supporters’ Shield-winners at TQL Stadium in what will be their first home playoff match as an MLS club.
Will Red October continue?
Brazilian Brilliance
In the Red Bulls’ push for the playoffs, and their first playoff win since 2018, it has been the Brazilian attackers that have been some of the catalysts.
Forward Elias Manoel, who scored the first playoff hat trick in club history against Charlotte FC, now has four goals and three assists in his last four matches.
Midfielder Luquinhas has two goals and four assists in those four matches.
Against a stout Cincinnati defense that will have a hostile atmosphere backing them, more Brazilian brilliance will be needed.
That’s What We’re Tolkin About
Defender John Tolkin has been another catalyst in the Red Bulls late-season surge.
The Chatham, NJ native has helped will the Red Bulls to their 14th-consecutive postseason appearance. He then showed out against Charlotte FC with a goal and two assists.
Can the homegrown star write another chapter in his Red Bulls career and help New York get the win at Cincinnati?
