INSIDE THE 18: Defense Looks to Lock Down Crew Attack

INSIDE THE 18: Defense Looks to Lock Down Crew Attack

The defensive backline of Sean Nealis, Andrés Reyes, Kyle Duncan and Cameron Harper will look to stymie the offensive output of Columbus Crew as they face off on Saturday night in Ohio.

This will be the second time the two clubs have faced each other this season with New York earning a 2-1 win on March 18 at Red Bull Arena.

Carlos Coronel starts in goal for the Red Bulls.

This will be the 79th overall regular season meeting between New York and Columbus, with the Red Bulls holding the advantage in the series with a 33-32-13 mark.

Daniel Edelman and Frankie Amaya look to lock down the defensive midfield.

Amaya scored two goals in their 4-0 win against Atlanta United FC. Amaya recorded his first career multi-goal game in MLS and became the sixth MLS player since 2000 to score at least twice after being subbed on in the 75th minute or later. The Santa Ana, California native scored in New York’s last time out in Columbus last season.

Tom Barlow, Elias Manoel, Omir Fernandez and Luquinhas look to push the attack forward.

Columbus are currently on a five-match unbeaten streak and sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

Head Coach Troy Lesesne will have Dante Vanzeir, Wiki Carmona, Ronald Donkor, Dru Yearwood, Peter Stroud, Omar Valencia, Hassan Ndam and Ryan Meara available off the bench. Valencia was signed to a short-term agreement for the match.

Dylan Nealis, Lewis Morgan, Serge Ngoma and Steven Sserwadda will miss the match due to injuries. John Tolkin and Cory Burke are away from the team on international duty.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and New York Red Bulls Radio in English via TuneIn, the New York Red Bulls app, and NewYorkRedBulls.com.

Coverage on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in English and Spanish begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. Chris Wittyngham will have the primary play-by-play responsibilities and will be alongside Lori Lindsay on the English side, Bruno Vain will have the play-by-play responsibilities alongside Andres Agulla on the Spanish broadcast. New York Red Bulls Radio begins at 7 p.m. ET with Countdown to Kickoff, presented by Honda, hosted by Matt Harmon and Steve Jolley.