Is This the End for Columbus Crew? New York Red Bulls Look to Send the Title Favorite Packing on Home Turf

If soccer was just about stats and numbers, the New York Red Bulls would never have left Columbus Crew in such a tight spot. Columbus came into this season as one of the top favorites, racking up a solid 66 points and a Leagues Cup title to their name, looking nearly untouchable. But then, in game one, the unexpected happened. Columbus, marching in with a confidence some might call over-the-top, left the field humbled and hanging their heads after a bitter 1-0 loss.

Finishing second in the Eastern Conference, Columbus Crew was supposed to have an easy pass against seventh-seed Red Bulls. But in that first home game, Crew found itself caught off-guard by the Red Bulls’ sheer grit—unable even to force a draw. Now, as New York Red Bulls prepare to face them on home turf with their crowd roaring, the Crew’s in an all-or-nothing bind. They either pull off a win, or it’s farewell to one of the league’s brightest squads this season.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

And here’s where the Red Bulls come alive with fresh energy. If you’ve been following them, you know their season has been a rollercoaster, far from a model of consistency. Few thought they’d make any waves in the playoffs, especially after closing out with just two wins in their last 16 MLS and Leagues Cup matches combined. But Felipe Carballo’s goal in game one flipped the mental script, and suddenly, Red Bulls seem like a whole new beast.

Columbus Crew’s coach, Wilfried Nancy, now faces a tough predicament. On one hand, he’s got to prove his strategy is resilient enough to turn things around. On the other, he’s dealing with a squad that’s definitely feeling the pressure. Star forward Cucho Hernández, a finalist for the league’s MVP award, couldn’t find the net in game one, and it’s weighing on him. With six shots but only two on target, Hernández got locked down by a solid defense and a standout performance from Red Bulls’ goalkeeper Carlos Coronel.

On the Red Bulls’ side, though, confidence is running high; they’re itching to make history by knocking out one of the league’s top favorites in the very first round. And we can’t ignore the mental weight of this matchup; Crew, who’s been used to winning, now has to stare down a do-or-die moment. Red Bulls, with their no-nonsense style, are ready to exploit any hesitation and punch their ticket to the next stage.

But, hey, let’s not count out Crew just yet. This team’s had a stellar season, dominating both in the league and in the Leagues Cup. It’s during moments like these that big names usually step up. Nancy may shake things up, possibly easing the pressure on his forwards and shoring up the midfield to control the game’s tempo. Any slip could spell disaster, and a game this crucial demands accuracy in every single move. Sure, Columbus might be down, but it’s far from over.

If Crew clinches this one, it’s back to square one, with a third, all-deciding game back in Columbus. There, Crew can try to recapture their rhythm and feed off their home crowd’s energy. But if Red Bulls keep up the intensity and replicate that stellar first-game performance, Columbus Crew’s victorious season could come to an early end; and just like that, an unexpected giant might rise in these playoffs.