New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew SC – Game Recap
Last night was the second leg of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference Final. Where the winner will go on to play in the MLS Cup Finals on Sunday, December 6th.
After Columbus Crew have stunned the New York Red Bulls at Ohio, with a 2-0 home win that also included the fastest goal in Major League Soccer history with Crew’s Justin Meram scoring a goal within the first few seconds of the match.
Kai Kamara then doubled Columbus’s lead towards the end of the match on the 85’ minute.
This, leaving the Red Bulls with a huge mountain to climb at home on the second leg, needing 2 goals and to keep a clean sheet to stand a chance.
However, it proved to be too much for the New York Red Bulls, who although winning the 2015 MLS supporters shield, and arguably being the most impressive team in Major League Soccer this season.
The Red Bulls have been eliminated from the MLS Eastern Conference Championship for the second year in a row, losing to Columbus Crew 2-1 on aggregate.
Although a very fast-paced first half from both teams, it was actually the hosts Columbus who nearly scored yet another early goal, with Ethan Finlay running into the box and receiving a ball and making an attempt on the second minute of the night – to be denied by Red Bull’s keeper Luis Robles.
Robles, who has proven his deserved reputation and win of MLS Goalkeeper of the year came to the Red Bulls’ rescue many times throughout the night, namely blocking Crew’s Kai Kamara’s attempts on the 8th and 38th minute of the match.
Hosts New York Red Bulls did little to trouble Columbus’s keeper Steve Clark, and again the Crew’s defense managed to cut off the midfield from the front, denying the Red Bulls from creating any serious chances.
Three minutes into stoppage time, Red Bulls’ Sal Zizzo sent a ball into the box to find Lloyd Sam for a header that got the ball to Bertrand Abang who scored for the hosts the one and only goal of the match (90’+3’).
New York Red Bulls 1 – 0 Columbus Crew SC
This makes Columbus Crew beat New York Red Bulls 2-1 on aggregate, and sends the visitors to the Major League Cup Final for the first time since 2008.
Columbus Crew SC will host the Portland Timbers on Sunday, December 6th.
