Fans across MLS just witnessed a miracle. The New York Red Bulls, who kicked off this season almost unnoticed, stormed into the playoffs and rattled the league’s foundation. With a shocking victory over the Columbus Crew, the most hyped, dominant team of the year, the Red Bulls proved that nothing is set in stone.
In the first game of the best-of-three series, the Red Bulls stunned everyone by taking a win right on Crew turf, leaving the reigning champs dazed. And in the second showdown, with a Hollywood-worthy dose of drama, they held on to a heart-pounding 2-2 draw, sending the match to penalties. That’s when goalkeeper Carlos Coronel stepped up as the ultimate hero, saving shots that seemed unstoppable and sealing their place in the next round. It was epic, once underdogs, the Red Bulls are now the nightmare every team fears.
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But what makes this story even more special is how the Red Bulls embraced their role as underdogs. Head coach Sandro Schwarz knew they were facing a giant; the Crew was nearly untouchable. Instead of shrinking from the challenge, he turned it into fuel.
The winning penalty? Taken by Daniel Edelman, the guy who grew up watching the Crew as the team to beat. Now, he’s part of the history of one of the wildest playoff comebacks.
For MLS fans, the Columbus Crew has long been the team to admire. They had a dream run in 2023, lifting both the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup; a new dynasty seemed inevitable. But after a season like that, two continental finals under their belt, here they are, knocked out before the semifinals, by none other than the Red Bulls, a team that no one gave a dime for just yesterday. After such a glorious year filled with trophies and huge wins, seeing the Crew go out like this stings like salt in an open wound.
And now, what’s left for the Red Bulls? They’re waiting for their next opponent, whether it’s FC Cincinnati or New York City FC, with the confidence of a team that just toppled a giant. There’s no more “underdog” label sticking to this squad.
The Red Bulls have shifted from “extras” to “dream crushers” for the Columbus Crew. For Schwarz and his squad, this victory is the emblem of a season that’s far from over.