Crew rides fast start past Red Bulls

With a few suggesting the global break killed all momentum that Major League Soccer’s playoffs built up in the opening couple of rounds, the Columbus Crew did their best to get it back. The Columbus Crew started and finished perfectly. No team in the Eastern Conference conceded less goals than Jesse Marsch’s side did during the regular season, and they kept clean sheets in both match against, D.C. United, in the Eastern Conference semi-final.

Off the opening kickoff, Crew midfielder Wil Trapp blasted a high ball forward to Sierra Leone striker Kamara, who flicked a header forward to the chest of Ethan Finlay.

Crew SC squandered their own share of opportunities in the remainder of the first half.

Kamara went close in the 10th minute, forcing a Robles save after a nice crossing pass from Finley.

Meram almost scored another in the 44th minute, connecting on a bending shot to the far post that required an outstretched diving stop from Robles – the MLS goalie of the year who, in that moment, saved NY from a devastating scoreline heading into halftime.

Despite the Red Bulls controlling the majority of the possession, the golden chances weren’t there to get an important away goal.

Clark said, “We know them (Red Bulls) well, and we think we know how to break down their game, and with our fans at our backs, I think we have a pretty good idea of how to beat them”.

And another thing is for sure: the Red Bulls have their work cut out for themselves next Sunday.