New York Red Bulls- Columbus Crew: Tailgate Edition

It turns out you can go home again. While home-field advantage may be a overrated in a two-game series, in a one-game playoff it is pretty darn important. Without the fear of having to go to your opponents park, teams can unleash a fury on their traveling opponents and throw everything they have at them.

With just a point separating them, the New York Red Bulls (12-9-11, 47 points) and Columbus Crew (12-10-10, 46 points) will be gunning for at least that fourth spot (and maybe more) in the Eastern Conference when they meet up on Sunday afternoon.

Here is what you need to know:

When: 3pm EST

Where: Red Bull Park in Harrison, New Jersey

TV: UNiMas. UNiMas is a bit tricky because sometimes they show the matches on Univision and well sometimes they change their schedule to show soap operas. Keep your clicker close.

Head-To-Head in 2014: Although New York and Columbus do not have a storied history like that of D.C. and New York or Columbus and Toronto, they have had some very close matches. The Red Bulls hold a two game advantage over the Crew, winning 26 matches to 24 with the two sides drawing 9 times.

At Red Bulls Park, and previously Giant Stadium for the Metrostars, the Crew actually hold the lead with 15 wins to 11. They have drawn 4 times.

If Columbus are to catch New York in the playoff standings, they will need to win their first-ever match this season against Thierry Henry and company. In their first match of the season, the Crew would take the early lead on a penalty kick goal scored by Jairo Arrieta. But Bradley Wright-Phillips would even the score in the 68th minute to force the Crew to drop two points at home.

While the first match was defined by strong performances from each team’s defense, their second match in July was a cakewalk for the Red Bulls. The New York Red Bulls attacking combination of Wright-Phillips, Thierry Henry, Loyd Sam, and Eric Alexander would put four past the Crew and lift their club to a valuable 4-1 victory.

A lone goal by Crew midfielder Adam Bedell was the only bright spot for a Columbus side that had not won in five matches.

Outlook: Columbus has been unfortunate this season in that they have caught the New York Red Bulls during times when the club was scoring goals for fun. Forward Bradley Wright- Phillips has had a career season this year, scoring 25 goals this season. The Englishman is just just two goal away from tying Roy Lassiter and Chris Wondolowski for the single-season goal scoring record.

To complete this task and get his name in the running for the MLS MVP, BWP will need to find his shot. His play has slowed in recent weeks, scoring in just two of the last six matches (granted one of those games was a hat trick). BWP is at his best when can take his shot inside the eighteen in front of the goal. He is going to have a difficult time finding space against Crew center-back Michael Parkhurst and midfielder Wil Trapp, two of the leagues best defenders in their position.

While it might seem like the red card suspension to Red Bulls midfielder Tim Cahill might hamper the team, they have actually played better without him in recent weeks. The Red Bulls seem to be much more comfortable with midfielder Dax McCarty setting up the attack, working the ball in and out to midfielder Loyd Sam and Eric Alexander on the outside and Henry on the inside.

The Crew have struggled this season against teams that can change the field of play quickly. Look for Crew midfielder Tony Tchani to do a ton of running to keep up with a very dangerous Red Bulls attack.

For Columbus to win this match, they are going to need to get something out of the forward position. Midfielder Ethan Finlay has had a breakout year in 2014, scoring 10 goals in 27 matches and talisman midfielder Federico Higuain will be back from suspension. But starting forward Aaron Schoenfeld has scored just one goal this season and has at times looked lost in coach Gregg Berhalter’s the 4-5-1 formation.

The Crew should have their opportunities though. The New York Red Bulls defense this season has been very poor and at times a real crutch to an otherwise quality team. Center-back Jamison Olave has looked better in recent weeks, but has at times had trouble catching up to teams on the counter-attack. Having right-back Roy Miller from international duty should help.

The key for this match will be if the Crew can hold on from the early onslaught that the Red Bull attack is likely to unleash. New York likes to score early and take their opponents out of matches, while Columbus takes a more measured approach. Whichever team wins the first 15 minutes of the match will likely come out with the more favorable result.

Match Prediction: New York Red Bulls 2- Columbus Crew 1

Stat to Impress Your Friends With: The New York Red Bulls have not been shut out at home since August of last year when they drew 0-0 with the Philadelphia Union. Since then, they have outscored their opponents at home to the tune of 49 to 15!

This team likes to score at home and will do anything to get that home-field advantage. Columbus will have their work cut out for them.