Saturday night saw the New York Red Bulls’ five home game-winning streak come to an end with a 3-2 defeat against the Columbus Crew. The Crew, who had a vital win against Montreal last week, did what few teams have been able to accomplish this season, which is to beat the Red Bulls at home.
Columbus, currently in tenth place, snapped their 10-game winless skid last week with a 2-1 win against the Impact and are nine points behind current seventh place holder, New England Revolution. The Red Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off a victory against Orlando City SC last Sunday and find themselves in fifth place.
Just as in the Orlando City fixture, Red Bulls’ Brian White opened up the scoring in the 15’ with his eighth of the season. Marc Rzatkowski brushed Luis Argudo off the ball before settling and surveying the scene just outside the right side of the box. Displaying perfect touch with a floating chip, he was able to find an elevating Brian White for a superb header.
Unlike the Orlando game, Columbus was able to answer right back. Less than a minute after the White header, defender Alex Crognale launched the ball 70 yards downfield. Off the bounce, Gyasi Zardes headed the ball over Aaron Long and found the right boot of Luis Argudo. Argudo smashed it over a sliding Luis Robles to tie the game at one a piece.
The Crew wasted no time in the second half to take the lead. Argudo found space on the left channel and got the ball behind the Bulls defense. After taking on and crossing up Tim Parker, he was able to find an unmarked Pedro Santos, who buried it in the top left corner of the net.
The Red Bulls would find hope in the 63’ with a game-leveling goal courtesy of Daniel Royer. After initially not calling a foul on Royer by Argudo in the box, VAR was utilized and the original call of no foul on the field was overturned. Royer, who has a perfect record of penalty kick taking in his MLS career thus far with seven goals scored, brilliantly placed his eighth from the spot past a diving Eloy Room.
Gyasi Zardes, who had been finding space behind the defense all night, would again be found in the 84’ with the ball charging at the Red Bulls goal. After Zardes’ shot defected off Robles’ chest, Pedro Santos was there to slot home the rebound, his second of the game and what would be the game-winning goal.
Next up on the schedule, the Reds welcome Toronto FC to Red Bull Arena on Saturday. Toronto are currently two points behind New York in the table. The Crew will travel to San Jose for a Saturday night clash with the Earthquakes.
