Favorites or Upset? Columbus Crew vs. NY Red Bulls in a Playoff Showdown

When Columbus Crew steps onto the field to face the New York Red Bulls, we know one thing for sure, this matchup is gonna bring some heat. On one side, you’ve got the Crew, racking up trophies in 2024 and aiming to add another MLS Cup to their collection. On the other, you have the Red Bulls, stumbling through tough times, yet carrying that gritty underdog spirit, refusing to fold, even when the odds stack up like a mountain.

This clash? It’s a showdown between the unbreakable and the unlikely. Columbus walks in as the favorite, flaunting a season so close to perfect it’s hard not to take notice. With 66 points on the board, a Leagues Cup title in the bag, and a season that put them squarely on every soccer fan’s radar, Columbus is firing on all cylinders. Their front three, Cucho Hernández, Diego Rossi, and Christian Ramírez, is pure firepower: fast, sharp, dangerous. Cucho, especially, is playing like he’s in a league of his own, scoring with the ease of a playground champ, stirring memories of past icons and reviving the magic of a jersey that knows its way around victory. And Columbus isn’t just all about the attack. Midfield maestro Darlington Nagbe keeps things flowing with veteran grace, while Steven Moreira and keeper Patrick Schulte lock things down in the back. If you think calling them favorites is a stretch, you probably missed their play this past season.

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Then there’s the New York Red Bulls, coming in with a different story altogether. Wrapping up with 47 points, they scraped through a season that, let’s say, had its share of bumps. Confidence? Slippery at best. Consistency? Hard to come by. But, as in any good story, when the lights start to dim, one hero steps up. Emil Forsberg, the Swede who was sidelined for months, has returned just in time to breathe new life into the team. He’s already hit the back of the net three times since his comeback, proving that, despite a rough patch, these Red Bulls have some fight left. Add Forsberg to the mix with talents like Dante Vanzeir and Lewis Morgan, and you might just get a surprise or two. Plus, Carlos Coronel in goal? This guy’s a wall. The Paraguayan keeper has seen his fair share of battles and knows every save counts like a goal scored.

Columbus, though? They’re not the kind to get shaken. With head coach Wilfried Nancy pulling the strings, their game is a treat for anyone who loves an aggressive, soul-stirring style of play. Nancy’s tactical mind has turned the Crew into a well-oiled machine, a force with a killer offense and a defense that leaves opponents gasping for air.

In the MLS playoffs, there’s zero room for slip-ups. Columbus knows that if they want to keep pushing for the title, they need to not only win but to do it in style. On the flip side, the Red Bulls didn’t come all this way to play nice. Coming in as the underdog gives them an edge you just can’t buy: freedom from pressure. And in times like these, teams that see themselves as the weaker side often pull off the unthinkable. And what better way to put the impossible to the test than facing a giant like Columbus Crew on their home turf?

Let’s talk facts. Columbus Crew needs two games to secure their spot, and they’re not looking to leave anything to chance. The sooner they seal the deal, the better. That’s why Game One is huge. A misstep at home wouldn’t just dent their morale; it’d give the Red Bulls a chance to gain confidence and momentum, a chance no underdog can afford to miss. For the Red Bulls, a win or even a draw away would be a massive achievement. It’d put Columbus on the back foot, sprinkle in a bit of doubt, and hand the Red Bulls a golden shot at advancing.

Talking favorites in playoffs is almost like asking for trouble. Sure, the Crew has the upper hand. They’ve got the stars, the skills, the crowd, and the momentum. But across from them, there’s a team that’s fought its way through, a team that knows what it feels like to lose. And sometimes, that sting of defeat is the fuel that burns the brightest.