Crew Fall to Red Bulls 1-0 in Game One of First Round MLS Playoff Series
Crew Lose Heartbreaker in New Jersey
The Columbus Crew fell 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of their Eastern Conference first round playoff series on Sunday night at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
The lone goal of the game came in the 77th minute when Lewis Morgan headed home a cross from Frankie Amaya. The Crew had a few chances to equalize in the final minutes, but could not find the back of the net.
The Crew will now host the Red Bulls in the second leg of the series on Thursday night at Lower.com Field. Columbus will need to win by at least two goals to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. If Columbus win 1-0 in regulation, there will be 30 extra minutes of play and potentially a penalty shootout.
What Went Wrong for the Crew?
While the Crew had some bright spots in the game, they also made a few mistakes that cost them the win. Here are a few of the key issues:
- Defensive lapse: The Crew's defense was caught napping on the Red Bulls' goal. Morgan was able to get free at the back post and head home the cross with ease.
- Lack of creativity in attack: The Crew struggled to create scoring chances throughout the game. They had a few half-chances, but never really tested Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel.
- Missed opportunities: The Crew had a few good chances to equalize in the final minutes, but could not take advantage. Miguel Berry had a great chance to score in the 85th minute, but he shot wide of the goal.
What's Next for the Crew?
The Crew will now need to regroup and prepare for the second leg of the series on Thursday night. They will need to win by at least two goals to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals. The good news for the Crew is that they will be playing at home in front of their fans. They will also have the benefit of having a few extra days to rest and prepare.
Conclusion
The Crew's loss in the first leg of their playoff series is a disappointing result, but it is not the end of the world. They still have a chance to win the series and advance to the next round. However, they will need to play much better in the second leg if they want to have a chance of winning.
