ORLANDO, Fla. – Andres Reyes scored two minutes into the second half and Carlos Coronel ensured first-year coach Sandro Schwarz took the lead as the Red Bulls played in the Eastern Conference final on Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium Defeated Orlando City 1-0 and advanced to their second MLS Cup final.

The Red Bulls are the first No. 7 seed to play for the championship after joining the Chicago Fire in 1998 and becoming the only teams to win three straight playoff games on the road.

Schwarz, who left German club Hertha BSC to coach the Red Bulls, led his team past second-placed and defending champion Columbus in the first round and won the away game. The Red Bulls defeated No. 6 seed New York City FC 2-0 at Citi Field in the semifinals.

Coronel saved three shots in his ninth playoff appearance – all with the Red Bulls. Coronel has kept a clean sheet in all three of his postseason games this season.

The Red Bulls took the lead in the 47th minute when Reyes scored a header from a free kick from fellow defender John Tolkin. It was Reyes’ first goal in his ninth postseason appearance. Tolkin’s assist was his third in nine playoff appearances after scoring his first two goals and his only goal last season.

Pedro Gallese finished his 11th career playoff start without a save, all for Orlando City. He allowed one goal in four starts this postseason before entering the game.

The Red Bulls have made it to the playoffs every season since 2010.

They have only reached the final once – in 2008, losing 3-1 to the Columbus Crew. The club played in the conference finals for the sixth time and first since 2018.

Oscar Pareja, who became Orlando City coach in 2019, led the club to its first conference championship game.