The Columbus Crew will begin defence of their MLS Cup when they host the New York Red Bulls in game one of that best-of-three series on Tuesday at Lower.com Field.
In the regular season, the Crew finished second in the Eastern Conference, winning their previous encounter against the Red Bulls 3-2 last week, dropping the latter down to seventh.
Match preview
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The real season begins now for Columbus, who will seek to become the first side to repeat as MLS Cup champions since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2014.
Heading into this opening match, the Crew have won three successive MLS fixtures, scoring three or more goals in each of those triumphs.
Columbus not only scored the second-most goals in MLS this year (72), but they were equally sharp on the back end, conceding the third-fewest goals in the league (40).
Wilfried Nancy has never lost an opening MLS playoff fixture in his career as a head coach, with the Crew winning game one of their series with Atlanta United last year (2-0), while Nancy's CF Montreal side won their first post-season fixture in 2022 versus Orlando City (2-0).
During the 2024 domestic campaign, Columbus won 10 matches at Lower.com Field, and they boast a 100% record all-time in the playoffs at that venue.
Their last three home contests against the Red Bulls ended with a victory for the Crew, including a 3-0 triumph at Lower.com Field in March.
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New York are in the playoffs yet again, despite a poor finish to the regular season, which saw them lose a chance at home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
Sandro Schwarz has only seen his side collect one victory in their last nine MLS affairs, with the Red Bulls collecting points on four of those occasions.
In the regular season, they won four matches away from home, while they have not won a playoff game outside Red Bull Arena since a 1-0 victory over Toronto in the 2017 Eastern Conference Final, losing that tie on away goals.
A side that are traditionally a stingy defensive unit have regressed in that department of late, conceding at least one goal in 10 consecutive matches across all competitions.
Since a 6-2 defeat against Inter Miami in early May, the Red Bulls have not lost an MLS encounter when scoring first but only drew first blood once in their last four regular-season affairs.
It has been over three years since they last defeated the Crew in a match played at Lower.com Field, claiming a 2-1 victory on that occasion in 2021.
Team News
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During the international break, Mohamed Farsi suffered a knock and will be questionable for this match, as will Columbus defender Steven Moreira, who has an ankle injury.
On Decision Day, goals from Aziel Jackson, Yevhen Cheberko and Malte Amundsen propelled the Crew to a narrow victory over the Red Bulls.
Because of a minor knock, Noah Eile missed the previous New York encounter, while Roald Mitchell and Kyle Duncan are questionable due to knee injuries.
In their final regular-season match, a late brace courtesy of Emil Forsberg briefly drew his side level before the Crew found a winner in the 97th minute.
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Cheberko, Camacho, Amundsen; DeJuan Jones, Zawadzki, Nagbe, Arfsten; Ramirez, Rossi; Hernandez
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; Donkor, Reyes, S. Nealis, Tolkin; Stroud, Edelman, Harper; Forsberg; Vanzeir, Morgan
We say: Columbus Crew 3-0 New York Red Bulls
All year, the Crew rarely showed any effects of fatigue despite a demanding schedule, and we trust their attacking depth will propel them to another victory at Lower.com Field.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
