Behind two goals from forward Elias Manoel, his first two in a Red Bulls uniform, a 2-0 victory over Charlotte FC helped the New York Red Bulls clinch their first home playoff game since 2018.
In his sixth appearance for the club since he joined during the summer transfer window, Manoel scored his first goal in the 8th minute, when a long-range strike from Lewis Morgan was parried away by the Charlotte goalkeeper. The ball fell to Manoel, who had a clinical finish to put the Red Bulls up 1-0.
Manoel doubled New York's advantage in the 55th minute. Frankie Amaya won the ball back from a header that dropped to Manoel, who turned and fired into the top corner of the net.
Carlos Coronel kept Charlotte off the board, despite their six shots on target, registering his ninth clean sheet of the 2022.
Both Coronel and Manoel made the MLS Team of the Week after their performances clinched New York's 15th win of the season, the most the club has had since 2018.
The win meant New York finished the season at 53 points, in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.
