Picture Credits: Columbus Crew Twitter (@ColumbusCrew)
How To Watch
Where: Red Bull Arena- Harrison, New Jersey
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: Bally Sports Great Lakes, ESPN+
Injury Report
Columbus
OUT: Jake Morris (R Foot), Kevin Molino (R Knee), Josh Williams (L Thigh), Isaiah Parente (Illness), Sean Zawadzki (Concussion)
Questionable: None
New York Red Bulls
OUT: Andres Reyes (foot), Wiki Carmona (foot), Cameron Harper (quad)
Questionable: Ashley Fletcher (Visa)
Projected Starting XI
Columbus will travel to Reb Bull Arena for their second road trip of the season. Columbus is off to a great start, being undefeated through the first three matches of the season. Columbus opened the season with a dominant 4-0 win over Vancouver, followed by a 3-3 draw, against San Jose, culminated with a 2-1 in the Trillium Cup last weekend against Toronto FC.
New York has had a similar start to the season, though they do have a loss to Minnesota United.
Last Time Out
Columbus Crew
Columbus come back from behind to win the "first leg" of what is know as the Trillium Cup. Toronto's Jesus Jimenez got the scoring started with a goal in the 14' minute. That would remain the score throughout the remainder of the first half. But, the second half would prove to be in the Crew's favor. Lucas Zelerayan leveled the score with a brilliant strike from outside the box, his 14' such goal since coming to Major League Soccer. Not even 10 minutes later, Derrick Etienne Jr, who has had a scorching start to the season, would score the eventual game winner in the 65 minute.
New York Red Bulls
The last time out for the Red Bulls was a loss to Minnesota United, in a game that New York would dominate. The Red Bulls outshot the Loons of Minnesota 19-5 (8-2 on target), while Luis Amarilla would score the game winner in the 51' minute.
Previous Meeting
Date: October 23, 2021
Location: Lower.com Field
In the previous meeting, the Red Bulls beat the Crew 2-1 in a game that would be crucial in the race for the playoffs.
Picture Credits: Jonathon Mensah (@Jomens25)
Keys To The Match
Be Composed
If Columbus is going to leave Red Bull Arena with all three points, composure will be a big part of that. The last time the Crew played on the road two weeks ago, they blew a 3-1 lead in the final 10 or so minutes, and had to settle for a 3-3 draw with San Jose. If the Crew can be composed when needed, they should get a result in New Jersey.
Get On The Board Early
This seems to be in every preview. But, this team is built to play from ahead, not behind. With the likes of Darlington Nagbe and Artur in the middle of the park, they are more suited to see games out instead of chasing them. Plus, if the Crew can get the first goal, the flood gates tend to open for this team, and it will give the team confidence.
Defense Has To Show-Out
Again, this seems to always be a key, but if the Crew can return to their 2020 defensive form, they will be in great shape. The defense has been decent this season, though the sample size is small. Eloy Room and Jonathon Mensah continue to be the leaders this team needs, and Miloš Degenek continues to be solid in his first season in Major League Soccer.
Prediction
Columbus tends to struggle on the road. This was evident in their 3-3 draw at PayPal Park in San Jose. New York will be a tough match for the Crew, and with the possible debut of Ashley Fletcher, I expect Columbus to leave Harrison with a point, in a 2-2 draw.