New York Red Bulls defender John Tolkin (47) celebrates his goal in extra time against Nashville SC at Geodis Park. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

MLS's streaking (and playoff-bound) Red Bulls fueled by the haters

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated 10/23/23

The New York Red Bulls are not the talk of Major League Soccer this season. Their playing style is ponderous and defensive, and their weak goal-scoring has kept them squarely in the middle of the Eastern Conference pack.

On Saturday, however, the Red Bulls turned it around to keep a streak alive.

With a 1-0 win over Nashville SC on the final day of the season, New York clinched its 14th-straight playoff berth — the longest active playoff qualification streak in men's sports in the U.S.

Pretty, pretty good. @NewYorkRedBulls currently have the longest active postseason streak among men's professional sports leagues in North America. pic.twitter.com/6sqgU2ZSG0
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 22, 2023

The Red Bulls spent the entire season — and 94 of the final game's 96 minutes — on the wrong side of the playoffs line. But a last-minute penalty kick offered a lifeline, and homegrown defender John Tolkin buried it to carry the Red Bulls into the playoffs again.

"I'm ecstatic," Tolkin said after the game, per MLS.com. "Every single person in that locker room, we didn't want to be that team to lose the streak."

AHHHHHHHHH ADMIN IS GOING NUTS! JMI DOES IT!@Audi I #RBNY pic.twitter.com/tpQuyHbqKf
— x - New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 22, 2023

The Red Bulls snatched the ninth and final qualifying position in the Eastern Conference. On Wednesday, they'll play a one-off play-in match against eighth-place Charlotte FC to determine who will continue in the postseason.

While many believe Charlotte has the momentum after its strong back-to-back performances against Messi's Inter Miami, Tolkin believes the Red Bulls are ready.

"Just keep hating on us," he said with a laugh. "Everybody who I talk to is like 'Red Bull, you guys won't do it again. We don't like how you guys play. And you guys are the worst.'

"But that's all right. That's what fuels us. I think a lot of athletes around the world get motivation from that hate. Honestly, we love it. So keep it up, and yeah, we'll keep proving you all wrong."

The winner Wednesday will play a best-of-three series against top-seeded Cincinnati FC.

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