The New York Red Bulls will face Columbus Crew SC in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoff Eastern Conference Semifinals, as determined by Columbus defeating D.C. United in their Knockout Round matchup.
- TICKETS: Leg 2 at Red Bull Arena on Nov. 11
Here's how the teams fared in their two matchups in 2018:
June 9: 1-1 draw @ MAPFRE Stadium
New York faced a tall road task, as Columbus entered the match riding an eight-game unbeaten streak. Columbus applied pressure all throughout the first half, opening the scoring in the 26th minute, as forward Gyasi Zardes headed the ball past Luis Robles for his 10th goal of the season. In that first half, the Crew outshot the Red Bulls 15-2. New York found the equalizer in the 57th minute, as midfielder Alex Muyl headed in a free kick from midfielder Marc Rzatkowski. Columbus continued to apply pressure offensively, but could not find the go-ahead goal, as Robles collected five saves on the afternoon.
July 28: 3-2 loss @ Red Bull Arena
The Crew entered Red Bull Arena looking to right their recent road woes, as they were 0-4-1 and scoreless in their last five away from Columbus. They were able to break that streak early, as defender Jonathan Mensah finished a sequence on a free kick for their first road goal in 372 minutes. Columbus added two more in the first half, including an own goal to make the halftime defecit 3-0. New York was able to quickly get one back on a Mensah own goal in the 50th minute, and came within one in the 69th minute on midfielder Danny Royer’s sixth goal of the year. The Red Bulls could not tie it, dropping one of only three games at home all season.
The Red Bulls are 0-3 all-time in playoff series against Crew SC, most recently falling 2-1 on aggregate in 2015.
Columbus will host the first leg on Sunday, November 4 at 3 p.m. ET. New York will host the return leg on Sunday, November 11 at Red Bull Arena.
