Harrison, New Jersey- The New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC both know that this series isn’t over. They both know it will require an almost perfect execution to advance to the 2016 MLS Cup. The two-goal lead dictates a different approach for Columbus, or maybe not. The fact of the matter is that whoever advances will be the one that can keep their mind in the game for ninety minutes or a hundred and twenty or even after, to stay cold-blooded and not miss a shot during that Russian roulette called penalty kicks. This game is all about one aspect and one aspect only: focus.
Sounds simple, right? Good luck trying. No team can stay focused for the entire length of the game. There will be gaps; there will be flaws. The key will be on Columbus to keep them to the minimum possible and doing it at a hundred miles per hour. We won’t see a sub 9 second goal happening again from either side, but if Crew SC scores first it’s game over, because of the goal differential Red Bulls would have to quadruple the count. Having said that the hosts need to take advantage of the restart, those fifteen minutes after the break are the weakest mentally for Columbus, getting a goal or two during that stretch is where New York can hurt the visitors.
The last time Crew SC were shut out on the road was on July 11th (0-3 on the road against the Montreal Impact). Since then they have averaged 1.75 goals per game while playing away from Mapfre Stadium. Their 6-2-0 record makes them the best road team in the Eastern Conference.
Kei Kamara 2nd goal against the Rapids 2nd half of the match Colorado Rapids vs Columbus Crew
Can the New York Red Bulls keep Kei Kamara quiet? Montreal did it in their first leg, although added pressure on the Sierra Leone international frees up Federic0 Higuaín, or Justin Meram or Ethan Finlay.
If the Red Bulls want to advance they have control the tempo and use their high press to force turnovers from Will Trapp and Tony Tchani. Avoid the flanks, forget about the crosses. Gastón Sauro is back, and that means the penthouse entrance will be closed. Last week Columbus let Bradley Wright-Phillips die of ball starvation. Sacha Kljestan, Loyd Sam and Mike Grella will have to operate up, close and personal with him, small and quick ball rotation so they can penetrate a well synchronized Columbus back line.
Is this the year for New York? Their playoff numbers against Columbus are not very supportive of that dream. They are 0-4 against them, and they were outscored 5-11 in those four games. They are facing a 0-2 deficit with no room for error, but they are playing at home where they have a record of 12-3-2, which is the second best recordin the League (Dallas is first). Can they pull it off? We will have to see.
Prediction 2-1 Red Bulls.
