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John Tolkin celebrates his game-winning goal on Sunday night against DC United. (Photo courtesy of the New York Red Bulls)
HARRISON, N.J. — All the Red Bulls needed on Sunday night was the left foot of John Tolkin.
The New York wing-back lifted his side to a vital 1-0 victory over DC United at Red Bull Arena, using an 88th-minute free kick from just outside the left side of the box to create the difference between the Eastern Conference rivals. The three points for the Red Bulls pulled them to within just one point of United, who dropped to 10th place and out of the final playoff spot.
At 21 years and 20 days old, hes’ the youngest player in franchise history to score directly from a free kick.
“I’m just so proud of him, continuing to evolve as a leader for this team,” Red Bulls head coach Troy Lesesne said. “Leaders step up in big moments. He wanted that moment, and he was able to execute.”
Stemming off a foul by DC United’s Jose Fajardo in the 87th, New York was awarded a free kick just on the edge of the penalty area, 20 yards out from goal. Rather than send in a cross into the middle of the box, Tolkin went for goal, sneaking a low shot just beyond the reach of United goalkeeper Tyler Miller and into the back of the net past the near post.
“I saw the wall was a little bit inside and the keeper was a little bit too far to my right and I thought I could sneak it in there,” Tolkin said of his goal. “The grass was slick so I was able to get that little bounce and, yeah, found the back of the net.”
It was a deserved three points for the side that largely dominated the night. The Red Bulls (7-8-9, 29 points) didn’t allow a single shot on goal and out-attempted United 8-3, marking the 11th straight MLS game that New York held its opponent to single-digit shot attempts. It’s the longest streak in the league since Opta…
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