The New York Red Bulls wasted no time in taking control of their MLS knockout round match against the Chicago Fire, jumping out to an early lead before cruising to a 4-0 win.
Despite being on the road for the midweek contest, the visiting side stormed out to a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes.
Bradley Wright-Phillips opened the scoring in the seventh minute, taking the ball down and rounding Chicago goalkeeper Matt Lampson before slotting home. The goal was the 99th for Wright-Phillips in all competitions for the Red Bulls.
Bradley Wright-Phillips grabs the 1st goal of the #MLSCupPlayoffs (with a little help from Lampson). #CHIvNY https://t.co/Rgh85dM3ca
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 26, 2017
Sacha Kljestan doubled the lead in the 11th minute, sliding in to finish a Tyler Adams cross from the right side to give his club a commanding lead early in the one-off playoff contest.
Sacha Kljestan had just 2 goals in the regular season. Now he's got the Red Bulls up by 2 in the playoffs. #CHIvNY https://t.co/ewRMcfxvBb
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 26, 2017
Daniel Royer tacked on New York's third of the night with a calm turn and finish in the 70th minute.
That's how you put a team away. Daniel Royer's 1st career playoff goal has the Red Bulls moving on. #CHIvNY https://t.co/nIyZLGeaQR
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) October 26, 2017
And a fourth from Gonzalo Veron in the final minutes of the match gave the game its final 4-0 scoreline.
The Red Bulls will face Supporters' Shield winner Toronto FC in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
