John "JMi" Tolkin curled in a free kick from outside the 18 for the game-winning goal as the New York Red Bulls beat D.C. United, 1-0.
Tolkin's free kick made it around the wall, knuckling toward the ground, getting past Tyler Miller's outstretched arm, hitting the post and into the back of the net.Â
"I'm just so proud of him, continuing to evolve as a leader for this team," Head Coach Troy Lesesne said. "Leaders step up in big moments. He wanted that moment, and he was able to execute."
The game's lone goal secured all three points for RBNY as they remain undefeated at Red Bull Arena over the team's last five matches.
"It took 88 minutes to break them down," Tolkin said. "It's always tough against them, a lot of second balls, a lot of first duals. It took the whole game, sometimes it takes the whole game, and luckily, we were able to find the back of the net."
Tolkin’s goal was his first of the season, and the fourth of his career across all competitions. The goal was Tolkin’s second of his career against D.C. United.
The Chatham, New Jersey, native became the youngest player in club history to score directly from a free kick at 21 years and 20 days old.
Carlos Coronel secured another clean sheet for New York in goal, rarely challenged on the night.
"That’s what I expect from players like this with quality," Coronel said. "Andrés [Reyes], Sean [Nealis], JMi, and the other players in the back line, they did a really good job and we are so happy with that."
Coronel recorded his seventh MLS clean sheet of the season, which puts him in a tie for the fifth most in the league. Coronel also recorded his 27th career MLS shutout with the Red Bulls, which ranks second all time in franchise history. The goalkeeper has now tallied 35 wins in his Red Bulls career and is now three shy of passing Tim Howard for third most in franchise history.
New York have amassed a 131-43-50 record at Red Bull Arena since 2010 and have gained the most points at home in MLS during that span with 443.
A Celebration of 50 Years of Hip-Hop
The third kit will honor the legacy of the pioneering MCs, DJs, Graffiti artists, Breakers, and Beatboxers, from the Empire State to the Garden State, and the lasting impact that Hip-Hop has had, and will continue to make, on our culture.
New York will host Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF on Saturday, August 26, where the Red Bulls will debut their Freestyle Kit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop.
"We want to build off this game, and it’s a good start for us," Nealis said. "We've got a big challenge ahead and we got to prep starting on Tuesday to get ready for that game. That should be a good one, should be a fun one, it should be kind of packed out, so everyone’s excited for that one."
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and coverage will be on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and New York Red Bulls Radio in English via TuneIn, the New York Red Bulls app, and NewYorkRedBulls.com.
Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop
The evening will be highlighted by performances from Hip-Hop legends DMC of RUN DMC, Vin Rock and DJ Kay Gee of Naughty by Nature as well as DJ Skribble and DJ Scratch. The festivities will take place both pre-and-post match of the Red Bulls and Inter Miami contest kicking off at 7:30m E.T, presented by New Jersey Lottery.
