Columbus Crew SC vs. New York Red Bulls Pick & Prediction MAR 18th 2023
Stadium: Red Bull Arena Harrison
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After a 1-1 draw at Minnesota United on a snow-covered field in their last match on March 11, the Red Bulls (0-1-2, 2 points) are winless in their first three games for the first time since 2014 despite allowing only two goals.
According to Major League Soccer, the Red Bulls are one of six teams in league history to concede two or fewer goals in their first three matches without a win in any of them.
New York's lone goal of the season was by Andres Reyes in the 49th minute against Minnesota, allowing Red Bulls coach Gerhard Struber to exhale just a little bit.
"Of course, it was good to know that right now we've opened the door," he said. "(But) I think the most relief that you can get is always a victory. So the most important thing for that is that we have to fight and leave everything on the field."
Columbus (1-1-1, 4 points) rallied for a 1-1 tie at Toronto FC on March 11, getting the equalizer from substitute Jimmy Medranda in the 75th minute.
While New York is known for its high press, the Crew will try to be methodical in their build-up with strong ball possession. It's a game of chess that coach Wilfried Nancy enjoys.
"Every time I play New York it's a good exercise for my players and also the staff and everyone to see where we're at in terms of emotional control," Nancy said. "I like to play against them because you have to compete. You have no choice.
"They are going to put on a lot of pressure. We need to control more of the game and be composed with the ball and if we don't have the ball we must match their intensity."
The Crew have scored four goals but the Red Bulls have not surrendered a goal from open play this season, allowing a penalty and a corner kick.
--Field Level Media
Columbus Crew SC vs. New York Red Bulls Recap MAR 18TH 2023
Dante Vanzeir scored the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute as the New York Red Bulls rallied for a 2-1 win against the Columbus Crew in Harrison, N.J., on Saturday.
The Belgian winger scored a right-footed shot at the right post after a cross by John Tolkin to give the Red Bulls (1-1-2, five points) their first lead of the season.
Alexandru Matan gave the Crew (1-2-1, four points) the first lead of the night in the 32nd minute with the first goal of his MLS career in his 38th game before Luquinhas got the equalizer in the 58th minute.
Luquinhas put in a rebound after Eloy Room made a save of a Cory Burke shot from the middle of the box.
The rivalry is used to close contests. The past seven games between the teams have all been decided by one goal or a draw, and the previous five had a result-changing goal in 87th minute or later.
The Crew took a 1-0 lead less than two minutes after Room made a kick save on a powerful 18-yard strike through traffic by Cristian Casseres Jr.
Matan then was able to take advantage of a blunder by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, who was nearly 30 yards off the goal line when Steven Moreira sent a long looping ball to Matan down the right flank.
Both the backtracking Coronel and Red Bulls defender Andres Reyes went for the ball, leaving an open pathway for Matan. He cut to his left and drilled a shot from 22 yards for the Crew's lone shot of the first half.
The Crew will look to even the regular-season series when the teams play in Columbus on July 1.
Columbus was without striker Cucho Hernandez, who was a precautionary scratch because of a sore knee. Although he had yet to score this season, his goal potential drew attention away from star midfielder Lucas Zelarayan.
--Field Level Media
The Belgian winger scored a right-footed shot at the right post after a cross by John Tolkin to give the Red Bulls (1-1-2, five points) their first lead of the season.
Alexandru Matan gave the Crew (1-2-1, four points) the first lead of the night in the 32nd minute with the first goal of his MLS career in his 38th game before Luquinhas got the equalizer in the 58th minute.
Luquinhas put in a rebound after Eloy Room made a save of a Cory Burke shot from the middle of the box.
The rivalry is used to close contests. The past seven games between the teams have all been decided by one goal or a draw, and the previous five had a result-changing goal in 87th minute or later.
The Crew took a 1-0 lead less than two minutes after Room made a kick save on a powerful 18-yard strike through traffic by Cristian Casseres Jr.
Matan then was able to take advantage of a blunder by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, who was nearly 30 yards off the goal line when Steven Moreira sent a long looping ball to Matan down the right flank.
Both the backtracking Coronel and Red Bulls defender Andres Reyes went for the ball, leaving an open pathway for Matan. He cut to his left and drilled a shot from 22 yards for the Crew's lone shot of the first half.
The Crew will look to even the regular-season series when the teams play in Columbus on July 1.
Columbus was without striker Cucho Hernandez, who was a precautionary scratch because of a sore knee. Although he had yet to score this season, his goal potential drew attention away from star midfielder Lucas Zelarayan.
--Field Level Media