Red Bulls beat Orlando City 1-0 in Eastern Conference final, will play Galaxy for MLS Cup

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Andres Reyes scored two minutes into the second half and Carlos Coronel made it stand up for first-year coach Sandro Schwarz as the New York Red Bulls beat Orlando City 1-0 in an Eastern Conference final on Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium to advance to their second MLS Cup final.

The Red Bulls are the first No. 7 seed to play for the championship after joining the 1998 Chicago Fire as the only teams to win three straight playoff matches on the road. They will hit the road one more time to play the Los Angeles Galaxy for the Cup. The Galaxy beat the visiting Seattle Sounders 1-0 in the Western Conference final Saturday night.

Schwarz, who left Germany's Hertha BSC to coach the Red Bulls, led his team past second-seeded and defending-champion Columbus in the first round, winning the rubber match on the road. The Red Bulls beat No. 6 seed New York City FC 2-0 at Citi Field in a semifinal.

Coronel saved three shots in his ninth playoff appearance — all with the Red Bulls. Coronel has all three of his postseason clean sheets this season.

The Red Bulls grabbed the lead in the 47th minute when Reyes scored with a header off a free kick by fellow defender John Tolkin. It was Reyes' first goal in his ninth postseason appearance. Tolkin's assist was his third in nine playoff appearances with after notching his first two and his only goal last season.

Pedro Gallese finished without a save in his 11th career playoff start — all with Orlando City. He allowed one goal in four starts this postseason entering play.

The Red Bulls have made the playoffs every season since 2010. They advanced to the final just once — losing 3-1 to the Columbus Crew in 2008. The club played in the conference final for the sixth time and first since 2018.

Oscar Pareja, who became Orlando City's manager in 2019, led the club to its first conference championship match.

AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer

New York Red Bulls celebrate their championship after beating Orlando City in an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls celebrate their championship after beating Orlando City in an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Members of Orlando City watch the trophy presentation to the winning New York Red Bulls after the MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Members of Orlando City react to losing to the New York Red Bulls after the MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Orlando City forward Luis Muriel, right, reacts to loss against the New York Red Bulls after play in an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Members of Orlando City react to losing to the New York Red Bulls after the MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Coronel, react to fans after beating Orlando City in an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls defender Dylan Nealis, right, and defender Sean Nealis, left, react to fans after winning against Orlando City in an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls defender Dylan Nealis (12) react to the win against Orlando City in an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls defender Dylan Nealis, top, and Orlando City forward Facundo Torres (10) fight for ball during the second half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls forward Cameron Harper (17) and Orlando City midfielder Martín Ojeda, left, go for the ball during the second half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls midfielder Wikelman Carmona, front, defends the ball against Orlando City forward Duncan McGuire,center top,, during the second half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Orlando City midfielder Dagur Dan Þórhallsson, left, is defended by New York Red Bulls defender John Tolkin, right, during the second half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls midfielder Emil Forsberg, left, is defended by Orlando City midfielder César Araújo, middle, and Orlando City midfielder Dagur Dan Þórhallsson, right, during the first half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Coronel warms up before his team plays Orlando City in an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls midfielder Daniel Edelman brings ball down the pitch against Orlando City during the first half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

New York Red Bulls defender John Tolkin (47) gets ball away from Orlando City midfielder Dagur Dan Þórhallsson, right, during the first half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Orlando City midfielder César Araújo, left, is defended by New York Red Bulls midfielder Lewis Morgan, right, during the first half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Orlando City forward Ramiro Enrique, left, and New York Red Bulls defender Dylan Nealis, right, head the ball during the first half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese (1) catches the ball on a goal attempt by the New York Red Bulls during the first half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

Orlando City forward Iván Angulo, left, is defended New York Red Bulls midfielder Peter Stroud, middle, and forward Cameron Harper, right, during the first half of an MLS Eastern Conference final soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The first big snowfall of the season blanketed parts of New York, Pennsylvania and Michigan during the hectic U.S. holiday travel and shopping weekend, with numbing cold and heavy snow forecast to persist through the early part of the week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions.

The snow storm led to an emergency declaration in parts of New York and a disaster declaration in Pennsylvania, with officials warning of dangerous conditions for Thanksgiving travelers returning home.

A blast of Arctic air brought bitter temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average to the Northern Plains, the weather service said, prompting cold advisories for parts of North Dakota. Frigid air was expected to move over the eastern third of the U.S. by Monday, with temperatures about 10 degrees below average.

Nearly 2 feet (61 centimeters) of snow fell in parts of New York, Ohio and Michigan and 29 inches (73 centimeters) was recorded in Pennsylvania’s northwestern tip.

“Travel will be extremely difficult and hazardous this weekend, especially in areas where multiple feet of snow may accumulate very quickly,” the National Weather Service said.

In an update Saturday afternoon, the weather service said the heaviest snow totals were expected “downwind of lakes Erie and Ontario, affecting areas from northeast Ohio, far northwest Pennsylvania, western New York State and portions of northwest New York state.”

In a phone interview Saturday with WWNY-TV, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the state prepared for the storm for days by deploying snowplows and thousands of workers and consulting with utility providers. She also dispatched personnel from other parts of the state to assist.

“I know it’s something they’re all accustomed to and they can handle, but I want to let them know we are there with reinforcements and to make sure everyone can travel safely, especially over this really busy holiday weekend,” she said.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a disaster emergency proclamation and said parts of Erie County in the northwest received nearly 2 feet (1 meter) of snow with more expected through Monday night.

Pennsylvania State Police responded to nearly 200 incidents during the 24-hour period from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, officials said. Authorities closed part of I-90 in Pennsylvania and westbound lanes of the New York Thruway heading toward Pennsylvania.

The city of Erie, Pennsylvania, said travel was limited to emergency responders and essential employees and cases of medical emergency until further notice due. The snow and slippery conditions resulted in stuck vehicles blocking intersections and streets. Residents were urged to shelter in place and allow crews to clear neighborhoods.

With parts of some roads impassable in northwestern Pennsylvania, scores of travelers took refuge in the lobby and hallways of a Holiday Inn near I-90. Hotel staffer Jeremiah Weatherley said workers opened the conference room and gave them blankets.

“They just showed up, and we don’t want to turn people away,” he said.

In Buffalo, officials with the NFL's Bills sought stadium snow shovelers for the season, including ahead of Sunday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers. The team said it would pay $20 per hour and provide food and hot drinks.

Parts of Michigan were battered by lake-effect snow, which happens when warm, moist air rising from a body of water mixes with cold dry air overhead. Bands of snow rolling off Lake Superior buried parts of the Upper Peninsula under 2 feet (61 centimeters) or more, said Lily Chapman, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Marquette, Michigan.

There were 27 inches (69 centimeters) of snow just northeast of Ironwood, in the Upper Peninsula’s western reaches, and another 2 feet (61 centimeters) in Munising, in the eastern area, she said.

Lake-effect snow could add more than a foot (30.5 centimeters) over the eastern Upper Peninsula through Monday morning, with 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters) or higher to the west, Chapman said.

Gaylord, Michigan, received 24.8 inches (63 centimeters) of snow Friday, setting a new single-day record for the city in a region dotted by ski resorts, said Keith Berger of the weather service’s Gaylord office. The previous record of 17 inches (43 centimeters) was set March 9, 1942.

The snowfall was good news for Treetops Resort, which features 80 acres (32 hectares) of ski hill terrain among its 2,000 acres (809 hectares). It boosted the base that snowmaking machines will increase before the resort's season opening next weekend, Recreation Director Doug Hoeh said.

“Obviously when you get that much snowfall, it’s great for the snow hills, but it’s bad for the parking lots, so we’re kind of digging out,” Hoeh said.

Izaguirre reported from Lindenhurst, New York, and Callahan from Indianapolis. AP writers around the U.S. contributed.

A vehicle drives on a snowy street in Lowville, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Cara Anna)

A person clears the snow from the sidewalk in Lowville, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Cara Anna)

A person clears the snow from the sidewalk in Lowville, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Cara Anna)

Snow is cleared from the streets in Lowville, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Cara Anna)

Snow falls on Highmark Stadium and surrounding parking lots in Orchard Park, NY., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. The Buffalo Bills play the San Franciso 49ers at Highmark Stadium on Sunday Night Football, Sunday, Dec 1, 2024 at 8:20p. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Drivers take advantage of the lull between lake-effect snowfalls in Lowville, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Cara Anna)

A person clears the snow from the sidewalk in Lowville, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Cara Anna)