The New York Red Bulls have clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference and a bye from the Knockout Round of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs.
As the first seed, they'll await the lowest-seeded winner of the No. 3-No. 6 and No. 4-No. 5 matchups in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. They cannot face the No. 3 seed in the semifinals.
New York City FC is the other team to lock up a Knockout Round bye as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Red Bulls won two of their three matchups against their Hudson Derby rivals. New York beat NYCFC 7-0 and 4-1, but lost 2-0 on July 3. The early-July loss was the Red Bulls' last loss before their current 16-game unbeaten streak. The two New York teams can meet in the Eastern Conference Finals if they both advance.
Toronto FC locked up the No. 3 seed, so New York won't face them on October 30 and November 6. The Red Bulls can only face them if they both advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Overall, the Red Bulls are 13-7-6 against Toronto. This season, New York lost 0-2 at home, won 3-0 at home, and played to a 3-3 draw on the road.
D.C. United finished as the No. 4 seed, and could play New York if they beat No. 5 Montreal. The Red Bulls are 25-34-12 all time against their Atlantic Cup rivals. New York has lost 0-2 on the road, tied 2-2 on the road, and tied 2-2 at home this season.
The Impact, at No. 5, must beat D.C. to move on and possibly play New York. New York is 8-3-2 all time against the Impact. The Red Bulls lost 0-3 on the road, won 3-1 at home, and won 1-0 at home this season.
The Philadelphia Union finished as the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. All time, New York is 10-5-3 against Philadelphia. In this season’s matchups, New York tied 2-2 on the road and won 3-2 at home and won 2-0 on the road in the final game of the regular season.
The Red Bulls will play the lowest seed remaining of D.C., Montreal
and Philadelphia
. Should Toronto advance, they would play New York City FC.
New York will head on the road for the first leg of their playoff matchup on October 30. They'll return home to Red Bull Arena on November 6, looking to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals and -- eventually -- the MLS Cup.
