Crew fall to Red Bulls 1-0 in game one of first round MLS playoff series
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The defending MLS Cup champions the Columbus Crew suffered an upset loss to start the 2024 playoffs as they fell 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls at Lower.com Field in the first game of a best-of-three first round series.
A 25th minute volley goal from New York's Felipe Carballo proved to be enough to give the Red Bulls the upset win over the Black & Gold. The Crew will have to win game two on Sunday in New Jersey to keep their season alive and their hopes of winning back-to-back MLS Cup trophies.
Columbus was missing a couple of key starters Tuesday to begin its playoff journey with defender Malte Amundsen (abductor) and winger Diego Rossi (back) both not playing due to injuries.
Neither team was able to generate a good chance in the first 15 minutes as the Crew owned most of the possession and the Red Bulls employed their high pressing style on the Columbus defense.
The Red Bulls were able to open the scoring in the 25th minute to stun the Lower.com Field crowd. New York had a corner kick they whipped to the far post and after two headers inside the box, midfielder Felipe Carballo pounced to hit a volley past Crew keeper Patrick Schulte.
New York probably should have doubled its lead in the 37th minute on a breakaway chance for striker Lewis Morgan, who was unable to get a shot on target with only one defender contesting him. Despite having 75% of the ball, the Crew trailed at halftime and developed very little momentum when attacking.
The Crew began to push for the equalizer early in the second half and got their first chance in the 53rd minute. Hernandez was able to get a shot off running away from the net but the shot staying on the field and went right to Red Bulls goalie Carlos Coronel.
Chances began to come in waves in the second half as the Crew got some better chances on net and the Red Bulls nearly doubled their lead on another breakaway in the 68th minute.
The last 20 minutes was all Columbus as they continued to push for the equalizer, but it did not come. This is the Crew's first loss in an MLS Cup Playoff game since falling in the second game of its first round series last year to Atlanta United. The Black & Gold are also the first home team to lose in the first round of this year's MLS Cup Playoffs.
Game two will take place on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey as the Crew play to keep their season alive. If Columbus wins, they will host a deciding third game on Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. from Lower.com Field.