Game Thread: Columbus Crew SC vs. New York Red Bulls

Columbus Crew SC and New York Red Bulls are two of the best teams in the league facing off on national television. The visitors find themselves in fourth place, with 22 points through 12 games. The home side is in third after 15 games, notching 26. Both teams have been busy with Open Cup play, both playing changed lineups, come into the game chasing NYC FC and the league leading Atlanta United.

Live updates:

Full time: Crew SC tie New York Red Bulls 1-1 in the tail of two halves.

90’ Sosa has given Crew SC the energy to find a winner. Can they?

82’ Last Crew SC sub as Eduardo Sosa replaces Ricardo Clark.

81’ Crew SC have a chance with Afful down the right. He fires in a shot or wild cross with Zardes open. That’s a missed chance.

76’ Second Crew SC sub as Jonathan Mensah replaces Mike Grella. Columbus likely to move to a back three.

72’ Daniel Royer fires in a shot that forces Kempin to parry. Game has settled down just a bit as the wind rises and weather threatens.

64’ Crew SC makes their first sub as Luis Argudo has replaced Pedro Santos.

63’ Crew SC nearly retake the lead of a designed set piece. Higuain’s very low cross is flicked on by Clark. Just misses Zardes and Grella. Close.

63’ #CrewSC starting to come awake with a couple of corners off the counter attack.

57’ Goal to the visitors as Alex Muyl heads in a free kick. Crew SC struggling mightily in the 2nd half. Game tied 1-1.

49’ Another Red Bull shot off a Crew SC turnover that forces a Jon Kempin save. Visitors have elapsed thier shot total from the first half already.

48’ #CrewSC struggling with the #NYRB press. Another turnover, another shot over the bar.

46’ Turnover results in Wright-Phillips getting off a shot. Williams clips it for a corner. #CrewSC clears the danger.

Second half starts.

Halftime Stats:

Halftime: It’s all #CrewSC. 15 shots, but only 1 goal. Leading #NYRB 1-0.

45’ Zardes off the post off the corner kick. Crew SC could have had 2… or 3… or 4. Still stuck at 1.

40’ Artur fires a shot off the corner kick setup that forces another Robles save. Grella gets the loose ball, but his shot goes across the goal. Josh Williams sliding attempt goes well over.

39’ Artur with a rocket from long range that forces Robles to parry over for a corner kick.

38’ Afful nearly set up the Red Bulls with an overhit pass. Crew SC survive as Bradley Wright Phillips is off side on the pass he receives.

37’ Robles comes up big on a close Zardes chance. Afful sent in a early cross on the ground. Crew SC nearly up 2-0 there.

36’ Crew SC breakaway as Higuain takes a pass between the lines. He finds Grella, but Zardes fouls during the buildup. The chance is over.

32’ Water break. It’s a hot one today.

31’ Ball slides through the top of the 18 and Afful rockets one right at Robles. Easy save.

26’ Goal Crew SC! Federico Higuain sends Harrison Afful into the box. The Ghanian clips a in a cross from the touchline over Robles and Lade. Zardes finishes back post with his head. Crew SC lead 1-0 over the Red Bulls.

24’ Crew SC break through Grella in the middle. He finds the Higuain who goes wide to Artur. The shot is saved easily by Robles. Still scoreless.

17’ Red Bulls forced to make a sub as Marc Rzatkowski replaces the injured Vincent Bezecourt.

15’ Pedro Santos takes a free kick from 25 yards out and rings the crossbar. Crew SC forced to reset on offense.

11’ Ruthless Crew SC counter as Zardes takes the long feed and centers to Artur. The shot forces and excellent Robles save. Danger is cleared though.

10’ A lot of Red Bull pressure as they are keeping it in the Crew SC end. No real chances yet for the visitors though.

4’ First Crew SC half chance as Harrison Afful sends in a cross that Gyasi Zardes is only able to clip. Attempt wide for a goal kick.

1’ Kickoff at MAPFRE

Previews:

Ralph Schudel looks at the successful season that Red Bulls have had so far and Pat Murphy examines the battle between the two sharpest tactical minds in MLS, Gregg Berhalter and Jesse Marsch.

Official Lineups:

Injuries & Suspensions:

Crew SC: Wil Trapp and Zack Steffen are with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Cristian Martinez will be serving the second game of his two-game suspension for slapping Seth Sinovic. Pedro Santos and Jonathan Mensah are ready, but it’s unknown how long they’ll be able to play.

New York Red Bulls: This is a squad missing many starters through international absence. Michael Murillo, Fidel Escobar, Tim Parker, Tyler Adams, and Kaku have been called up in the pre-World Cup busy period. Defender Kyle Duncan’s season is over.

How to watch:

Date: Saturday, June 9th, 2018, 5:00 p.m. ET

Venue: MAPFRE Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)

TV: ESPN / ESPN Deportes; TSN

Radio: English: CD102.5 FM / ColumbusCrewSC.com Spanish: ColumbusCrewSC.com

Stream: ESPN360