The New York Red Bulls and Sporting KC both advanced to the first round of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs following Wild Card round victories on Wednesday night.

Troy Lesesne’s squad rolled past Charlotte FC 5-2 on Wednesday night, using a hat trick from Elias Manoel and additional goals from John Tolkin and Tom Barlow to get the job done. The Red Bulls will now face No. 1 seed FC Cincinnati in a Best-of-3 series, starting on Sunday at TQL Stadium.

Manoel needed only 10 minutes to boost the Red Bulls in front after slotting home a pass from Daniel Edelman into the bottom-left corner.

https://x.com/MLS/status/1717328509876474082?s=20

Tolkin’s sensational left-footed free kick doubled the Red Bulls’ lead to 2-0 in the 26th minute before Manoel extended their lead to 3-0 just 11 minutes later.

https://x.com/MLS/status/1717332382867468713?s=20

Kerwin Vargas cut the Charlotte FC deficit to 3-1 in the 49th minute, but the Red Bulls would keep their foot on the gas to seal the victory.

Tolkin connected with Tom Barlow in the 56th minute for a 4-1 Red Bulls lead, giving the young left back his second assist of the match.

Patrick Agyemang added a consolation goal for Charlotte just after the hour mark, but Manoel completed his hat trick in the 78th minute to cap the final score at 5-2.

https://x.com/MLS/status/1717346820546757075?s=20

Charlotte FC’s season comes to a disappointing ending while the Red Bulls advance to the first round.

---

Sporting KC 0, San Jose Earthquakes 0 (SKC advances 4-2 on penalties)

---

Sporting KC edged past the San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the teams played out a goal-less draw over 90 minutes.

Veteran goalkeeper Tim Melia made one key shootout save for SKC while Jackson Yueill skied his effort over the crossbar.

Daniel Salloi’s opening-minute effort was denied by San Jose’s Daniel, putting the visitors under early pressure at Children’s Mercy Park. San Jose would stand firm though, keeping SKC off the scoreboard through regulation.

Erik Thommy was denied by Daniel in the 76th minute before Johnny Russell’s free kick rattled the right post not long after. Salloi was also repelled a second time with both teams eventually heading to a shootout.

Cristian Espinoza’s first-round effort was denied by the 37-year-old Melia before Yueill skied his shot into the stands.

https://x.com/MLS/status/1717393489120334324?s=20

Despite Daniel rejecting Alan Pulido, SKC would score their last three penalty shots to advance to a first round showdown with No. 1 seed St. Louis CITY SC.