Game thread: Crew SC vs. New York Red Bulls

Columbus Crew SC are back on the road on Saturday evening when the Black & Gold travel to Red Bull Arena to take on the New York Red Bulls. It’s an important matchup between the third and fourth place teams in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. Crew SC hope to break a road winless streak dating back to May 19.

The Red Bulls come into Saturday’s contest hot as winners of six of their last seven matches. New York has only lost once at home this season and look to continue that form against the Black & Gold.

Updates:

FT: Crew SC 3 RBNY 2

90’+ Parker heads over off the corner kick.

88’ A half-hearted bike attempt is saved by Steffen. Still 3-2 Crew SC.

80’ Royer in behind the defense on the left but can’t put his shot on frame. Instead, he goes over.

78’ Mullins springs Opoku ride right. He has Zardes open in the box, but the cross is short and headed away.

72’ Jimenez in for Valenzuela.

69’ 3-2 RBNY. Kaku floats a ball into the box for Royer, who heads it by Steffen.

66’ Eddie Opoku is coming on for Hansen.

59’ Pedro with a little bit of space fires a low shot, but it’s just wide of the post.

56’ Valenzuela gets a yellow card for pulling down Etienne.

53’ A floated ball to Hansen forces Robles off his line. The ball runs to Zardes but he can’t get his touch right. Wasted chance by Crew SC.

50’ Just like that. BWP has an impact, but that’s a Jonathan own goal.

46’ Wright-Phillips and Kaku in for Red Bulls to start the second half. Abubakar in for William as well. New York kicks off and we’re underway with CrewSC up 3-0.

HT: Crew SC 3 RBNY 0

43’ Zardes plays Hansen into the box. He dances on the ball but can’t get by the RBNY defenders.

31’ #RBNY put one in their own net after a Santos corner. 3- Crew SC!

30’ Nearly an own goal from Jonathan. He tried to deflect a cross away but almost puts it past Steffen.

23’ Mullins makes it 2-0 on a quick counter. He gets a pass from Afful, runs at the goal and finishes past Robles. 2-0 Crew SC!

21’ Yellow card to New York’s Collin. Took down Santos on the break.

18’ Steffen comes up big, diving to his left to make a save on Red Bulls header. Keeps it 1-0 good guys.

14’ Etienne gets in behind the Crew SC backline with speed. Williams recovers to put it over the goal for a corner. Steffen makes the save on the header from the set piece.

12’ Adams looks for Etienne with the through ball but Steffen is quick off his line to collect.

7’ Jonathan, with his feet, puts Crew SC in front 1-0. A Sntos free kick is headed down by Mullins and finished into the corner by the center back.

1’ Crew SC kicks off and we’re underway!

Previews:

Guilherme Torres looked at how the Red Bulls have, or haven’t, changed since Chris Armas took over as head coach. Ralph Schudel gave a preview of New York. Patrick Murphy looked at how the Black & Gold can do against star striker Bradley Wright-Phillips. Our staff gave their predictions on the match.

Official Lineups:

Injuries and suspensions:

Crew SC: The only Crew SC player on the injury report is midfielder Federico Higuain. After missing last week, Pipa is questionable with a back issue, but trained in full on Thursday and Friday.

Red Bulls: There are only long-term injuries to Florian Valot (ACL), Vincent Bezecourt (MCL) and Kyle Duncan (ACL).

How to watch:

Date: Saturday, July 28th, 2018, 7:00 p.m. ET

Venue: Red Bull Arena (Harrison, New Jersey)

TV: CW Columbus, Spectrum Sports, BCSN2

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

Stream: ESPN+