New York Red Bull booked their place in the MLS play-offs with a 1-0 victory over Eastern Conference rivals Philadelphia Union on Thursday.

There was a touch of good fortune about New York's eighth-minute winner, the ball eventually going in off Union goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon after Dane Richards' header had come back of the left-hand post.

The win means New York reach the play-offs at the expense of Western Conference outfit the Portland Timbers, who needed the Red Bulls to lose at the Red Bull Arena if they were to have any realistic chance of making the post-season in their final game of the regular season this weekend.

The Union remain in second place in the East, having already booked their place in the next phase of the competition.