New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew SC
2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals Leg 2
Red Bull Arena – Harrison, N.J.
Sunday, November 11, 2018 – 7:30 p.m. ET
FS1, FOX Deportes, New York Red Bulls Radio
#RBNYvCLB
Game Notes vs. Columbus Crew SC
All-Time Series (Reg. + Playoffs): Columbus Crew SC leads, 33-31-11
At New York: Red Bulls lead, 19-12-5
HARRISON, N.J. (Nov. 9, 2018) – Down 1-0 on aggregate after Leg 1, the New York Red Bulls look to respond in Leg 2 of Eastern Conference Semifinal against Columbus Crew SC on Sunday at Red Bull Arena. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET with coverage on FS9, FOX Deportes and New York Red Bulls Radio in English and Spanish on TuneIn.
New York Red Bulls Radio begins at 6:30 p.m. ET with Honda Countdown to Kickoff, hosted by Matt Harmon and Steve Jolley. Ernesto Motta will carry the Spanish play-by-play, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Despite a 2-3-3 all-time record after a Leg 1 loss, New York has responded well after a loss in the regular season this year. The Red Bulls are 5-0-2 following a loss in 2018. New York is just one of two teams in MLS without back-to-back losses with the other being Atlanta United FC. New York responded with a three-goal performance in five of the seven games following a loss.
Down 1-0 on aggregate, New York will need to win by at least two goals to win in regulation at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls recorded a two-plus goal win in eight of their 17 home league matches, which includes shutouts in seven of the eight two-plus goal victories.
At 26, Long has had quite the season to remember, being named an MLS All-Star, earning his first call-up and start for the USMNT and now being honored as the league’s best defender, as voted by the media, all MLS players and technical staffs. In his second full season, Long started 31 of the 34 league matches, anchoring a Red Bulls defense that recorded 14 shutouts and allowed a league-low 33 goals in 34 games in MLS. Offensively, he tallied career-bests in both goals (3) and assists (2). The Oak Hills, California, native was not only named to his first MLS All-Star match, but started and played a game-high 62 minutes to help the MLS All-Stars tie Italian-side Juventus, 1-1.
If New York were to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, the Red Bulls would face the winner of Atlanta United/NYCFC. The two legs of the conference final is set for Nov. 25 and Nov. 29 with the Red Bulls hosting the second leg as the top seed in the East.
