Despite a 2-1 win for DC at sunny RFK Stadium on Saturday, the Red Bulls advanced past their Atlantic Cup rivals for the first time in five postseason meetings, winning 3-2 on aggregate goals in the Eastern Conference semifinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs, Presented by AT&T.
The Red Bulls will now host the first leg of the Eastern Conference championship on Nov. 23 against either the New England Revolution or the Colmbus Crew. It's the team's first berth in a conference final since they reached MLS Cup in 2008, and the series win ends a four-year hex of losing in the conference semifinals dating back to 2010.
New York Red Bulls Head Coach Mike Petke
On overall thoughts on the match
This is a series that in years past we would have lost. These guys showed determination-we had guys with a bloody lip, guys getting stitches and a guy with a lump on his head-these guys gave it their all and I'm really proud of them and they earned the right to be in the conference finals.
On the mindset in the first half
Our mindset didn't change. I think in the first half we knew we'd be under pressure and we were ok with that. I think we limited them except for that late run by [Nick] Deleon. It's those little things that you have to keep in mind and pick up those runners and not make those individual mistakes. I thought we were pretty good with passing in the first half, we didn't throw any balls away, Bradley had that break away and there were a couple crosses and we were in it, but credit to them they did a good thing by putting an extra guy at midfield.
New York Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty
On overall feeling about the game
This is the only time you can lose a game and be happy. Obviously it's a good feeling in here right now. I think we aren't extremely satisfied with how we played, but we knew we just needed one or two moments of magic and we had a few and were able to score one goal.
On each half of the game
The first half I think they played very well. They had good tactics, they were very aggressive and I think to a certain extent we forgot how to play a little bit. We didn't really want the ball, we were a little timid and our movement wasn't really there. I think they took advantage of that and they scored a really nice goal. Second half we were aggressive; we really wanted to score that away goal. Long ball after long ball, guys are bleeding, guys are sore, but it's all worth it at the end of the day cause we're through to the conference final, we're excited about it and it's a big step for this club.
New York Red Bulls midfielder Thierry Henry
On the game
We provided them a lot of chances in the first half, but in the second half we didn't lose our shape. We tried to put some players back there to make sure they didn't score a goal and that's what we did.
On what this win means
This one goes to the fans because I'm sure they had enough of that, losing to DC, but on a personal point of view, and I'm sure it is the same with them, we haven't done anything yet. You know, you want to go all the way. You have to give DC a lot of credit, they had an amazing season. We were in the same situation last year and lost in the first round so things happen. It will go down in history as the first time we've beaten DC in the playoffs, but that's it. We have to go forward, try to concentrate, stay committed in what's coming next."
