In a stoppage-time stunner that included a penalty save by Carlos Coronel and a game-winning goal by Dante Vanzeir, the New York Red Bulls defeated Atletico de San Luis 2-1 to advance in the Leagues Cup and take the top spot in group East 4 on Saturday night.
The first 45 minutes were a back-and-forth battle, with each team registering an offside goal. Despite New York knocking on the door with multiple chances, the score was 0-0 at the half.
Vanzeir broke the ice in the 56th minute, heading a ball from John Tolkin on the club’s 11th corner of the competition to put New York up 1-0. The defender’s assist adds to his team-best six assists across all competitions in 2023.
Thirteen minutes later, San Luis equalized when Jhon Murillo sent a rebound off Coronel to the back of the net.
The competition would remain locked at one until Tolkin conceded a penalty to San Luis in the 88th minute. With the Red Bull’s Leagues Cup run on the line, Coronel came up with the game-changing moment, making the biggest of his four saves in the match.
Coronel’s save ignited Vanzeir’s game-winner, as the clearance from the penalty landed the ball at the feet of the forward, whose shot found its way into the bottom-left of the net in the 92nd minute.
The goal was Vanzeir’s second of the night and fifth of the season across all competitions, making him New York’s top scorer for the 2023 campaign.
With the three points, New York claims first place in group East 4 and advances to the Leagues Cup round of 32.
New York has advanced to the knockout stage of the 2023 Leagues Cup and will face off against New York City FC in the Round of 32 on Thursday, August 3. Kickoff is to be determined with coverage will be on Apple TV+, and New York Red Bulls Radio in English and Spanish via TuneIn, the New York Red Bulls app and NewYorkRedBulls.com.
