New York Red Bulls play host to Columbus Crew in the next game of their MLS playoff tie having prevailed in the opening game.
Should the home side come through at the Red Bull Arena on Sunday night, it would see them book their place in the next round without the need of a third and deciding fixture.
Match preview
Having finished in second position in the Eastern Conference, Columbus Crew were favourites to start the playoffs with a win over New York Red Bulls.
Their opponents had finished five places and 19 points adrift of them in the same division, yet they would succumb by a 1-0 scoreline in Tuesday's first leg.
A first-half goal from Felipe Carballo proved to be the difference as New York Red Bulls moved to within a win of progressing into the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Keeping a clean sheet at Lower.com Field was an impressive feat for the visitors with Columbus Crew having scored 72 goals in their 34 regular-season matches.
Coincidentally, these two teams had also met in their final such fixture of 2024, with Columbus Crew prevailing 3-2 in a thriller on away territory.
Sandro Schwarz and his players will now be focused on getting the job done in the second match in order to avoid a deciding-showdown needing to be played on November 10, particularly when it would take place in Columbus.
While the Red Bulls will hope that home advantage will prove decisive, Columbus Crew have not suffered an away defeat in any competition since July 21.
That said, Wilfried Nancy's side have played games on their travels on just five occasions in the period that has followed.
Furthermore, Columbus Crew have won just five of their most recent 11 matches in all tournaments. However, that is a strong return in comparison to their opponents who have emerged victorious in only three of their last 17 games.
Team News
Barring any fitness issues, Schwarz could select the same Red Bulls XI that started the first game.
Even if young forward Serge Ngoma is available again after a groin injury, the 19-year-old will only be selected among the replacements.
Kyle Duncan and Roald Mitchell miss out with both players recovering from knee injuries.
Meanwhile, Columbus Crew are hopeful of being able to call upon Diego Rossi after their key playmaker missed the opening game with a back issue.
Alexandru Matan would likely miss out if Rossi is included, while Aziel Jackson and Jacen Russell-Rowe are other alternatives in the final third.
New York Red Bulls possible starting lineup:
Coronel; D. Nealis, Reyes, S. Nealis; Harper, Carballo, Edelman, Tolkin; Forsberg; Vanzeir, Morgan
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Camacho, Cheberko; Farsi, Zawadzki, Nagbe, Arfsten; Ramirez, Rossi; Hernandez
We say: New York Red Bulls 1-2 Columbus Crew
While New York Red Bulls are essentially defending an advantage here, Columbus Crew must throw caution to the wind if not in a winning position. However, that may benefit them, to a certain extent, and it leaves us predicting a crucial away success for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
