On Saturday night, the Columbus Crew end the 2024 MLS regular season against the club they might face in the first round of the postseason: the New York Red Bulls.
Numbers to Know
1 – As mentioned above, there's just one final match in the Crew's regualr season. To this point, the reigning MLS Cup champions have already set single-season records in points, goals scored and lead the league in goal differential. As we know, it’s been a great season. No matter what happens in Red Bull Arena, the Black & Gold are the confirmed No. 2 in the Eastern Conference behind Inter Miami CF. However, it’s important to note that Columbus has the third-most points across the league. That could change with three points Saturday and would guarantee – if they advanced – that the Crew would host MLS Cup at Lower.com Field for a second time in as many seasons. So, root for the Crew – and an LA Galaxy loss at the Houston Dynamo.
9a – The MLS MVP Power Rankings dropped Wednesday and said Cucho Hernández is atop the standings, so perhaps it’s a nice time to focus on him. In 26 league appearances this season, he has 20 goals and 13 assists. This means he averages 1.27 goal contributions per appearance during regular season play. Of course, he was just as dominant in Leagues Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup play. Already one of the Club’s top scorers ever, he has 44 league goals and 27 assists in 69 league appearances. This season was his best statistically (16 goals and 11 assists in 2023), and there’s every inclination his form will carry into the postseason. Good for Columbus; problematic for opponents.
7 – New York enters Saturday seventh in the Eastern Conference with 47 points from 33 games. As of now, these clubs will meet in the first round of the playoffs, which is a best-of-three format. Yes, that means Columbus could potentially play the Red Bulls in four-straight games. However, that could change if the Crew lose and sixth-place Charlotte FC lose. In that scenario, the Crew would play Charlotte next round. With this in mind – and the reality New York will probably be the next opponent – don’t expect to see anything too tactically advanced. Both sides may have their eyes on meetings that could come down the line.
9b – Scottish midfielder Lewis Morgan is the Red Bulls player to keep an eye on. The 28-year-old has 13 goals and six assists this season, which is similar to his 2022 output of 14 goals and four assists. It’s worth noting he’s played 300 fewer minutes in 2024, though. About to end his fifth season in MLS, Morgan has 34 career goals in 122 league appearances.
When They Last Met
The Black & Gold beat the Red Bulls, 3-0, on March 16 earlier this year, as Cucho, Jacen Russell-Rowe and Aidan Morris got in on the scoring. The Red Bulls won the last meeting in New Jersey, though, 2-1, on March 19, 2023.
Match Overview
Who: Columbus Crew travel to New York Red Bulls
When: Saturday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.
Where: Red Bull Arena
How to Watch: MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app
How to Listen: La Grande 102.5 FM | Alt 105.7 FM | iHeart Radio app
