Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls: MLS Matchday 25 Preview

Columbus CrewCOL

Major League Soccer

0–1

Full Time

HT 0–0

ScottsMiracle-Gro Field

Columbus, Ohio

New York Red BullsYOR

Ronald Donkor 89'

AI ForecastsGraded

Two struggling Eastern Conference sides meet with both desperate to arrest long winless runs. Columbus have lost four of their last five overall, but their home form offers some comfort — they have scored in every one of their last six at Lower.com Field and have only failed to…

Match ResultHome Win46%

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Match Stats

Top Stats

1.47xG1.43

59%Possession41%

11 (4)Shots (on target)15 (5)

2Big Chances Created0

Attacking Play

0.78xG on Target1.17

1.22Expected Assists (xA)1.16

63Final Third Entries53

34Penalty Area Entries23

Possession & Passing

551 · –Passes (accuracy)397 · –

7Corners3

22Poss. Won — Def 3rd21

17Poss. Won — Mid 3rd25

Duels & Pressing

48 (50%)Duels Won47 (50%)

5 (46%)Aerial Duels Won6 (55%)

50Ball Recoveries54

8.1PPDA (Pressing)11.7

Defending & Discipline

4Saves3

12Fouls14

+0.17Goals Prevented+0.78

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls: MLS Matchday 25 Preview

#	Team	P	GD	Pts
8	New York Red Bulls	29	-15	36
13	Columbus Crew	29	-3	32

Published Tue 8 Sept

Columbus Crew welcome New York Red Bulls for an MLS regular season Matchday 25 fixture on Saturday, September 12. With the campaign entering its final stretch, both sides are searching for consistency as they look to climb the standings and build momentum for the remainder of the year.

Columbus Crew and Red Bulls Team News

The Columbus coaching staff will be forced into several changes, with a trio of players ruled out through injury. Wessam Abou Ali is sidelined with a knee issue, Sekou Bangoura is out with an ankle problem, and defensive regular Rudy Camacho is unavailable due to a foot injury.

In contrast, New York Red Bulls boast a clean bill of health according to the latest MLS player status report. Manager Michael Bradley has integrated recent loan arrivals David Ruíz from Inter Miami and Devin Padelford from Minnesota United, both of whom debuted during their recent trip to Seattle. Midfielder Ronald Donkor has also been a staple in the starting lineup this term, making 22 starts across the year.

Columbus Crew Form Guide

The Crew recently secured an emphatic result, dispatching the Colorado Rapids 3-0 last weekend. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte kept a clean sheet with a steady two-save performance, while 20-year-old Taha Habroune made a crucial impact off the bench, scoring and creating another chance in just a 15-minute cameo. Prior to that, Columbus showed attacking spark with contributions from Chase Adams in a home fixture against CF Montreal.

Key Battle: Hall's Attack vs Columbus Defence

A fascinating tactical contest awaits between the youngest roster in MLS and a stubborn Columbus rearguard. Eighteen-year-old striking prospect Julian Hall leads the Red Bulls with nine goals this season, though he was left frustrated after missing a key opportunity in their recent 0-0 draw with the Seattle Sounders. Providing the service for Hall will be Emil Forsberg and Cade Cowell, who share the team lead with seven assists apiece.

Tasked with denying them will be Schulte, who will look to replicate the heroics of his opposite number, Ethan Horvath. The Red Bulls goalkeeper arrives in sensational form, having produced six acrobatic saves to earn Man of the Match honours against Seattle.

As the playoff race tightens, three points in this fixture could serve as a vital catalyst for either side. A victory for Columbus would validate their return to winning ways, while the Red Bulls desperately need a positive result to revive a challenging run of domestic form since the World Cup break.