Defense wins championships—or at least playoff games. Nowhere was this more evident than in the Columbus Crew–New York Red Bulls series. The soccer world was put on notice when Columbus, playing at home, was shut down by a resilient Red Bulls defense anchored by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel. For Columbus fans, this proved to be a recipe for disaster.
In Game 2, New York fought off a relentless Columbus attack, eventually clawing their way to a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute. Yet, even with the home crowd rallying against them, Wilfried Nancy’s squad found an equalizer, sending the match into a penalty shootout.
This unlikely upset turned into one of the most thrilling matches of this year’s MLS playoffs. With an away win to open the series and a home crowd pushing them forward, the New York Red Bulls fully earned their path forward, showcasing that the MLS playoff format delivers its own unique intensity and excitement as they continue their chase for the MLS Cup.
FBD | T.T. DesRois
