The New York Red Bulls are already doing better in the playoffs than the last time they won Supporters’ Shield. They were knocked out in the first round in 2013, but the team that finished with MLS’s best record this year is surging towards their first MLS Cup after beating rivals D.C. United before the international break. But they’re facing a tough test on Sunday in Columbus Crew SC, who got to the Eastern Conference final by beating Didier Drogba’s Montreal Impact.
Crew vs. Red Bulls 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch MLS playoffs online
The MLS Eastern Conference final couldn’t be much more even.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
These teams met three times this season, with the Red Bulls getting the slightly better of the series. All three games finished 2-1, with New York winning two of them. And impressively for NYRB, two of the games were in Columbus. However, the road game they won came in the first month of the season, when the Crew were considerably less impressive than they are now.
Key player -- Bradley Wright-Phillips
If these teams learned anything from the conference semifinals, it should have been that away goals are huge and a 0-0 draw at home is a decent result. Columbus should be the team playing the more conservative game, and Red Bulls will need to score to feel good about their chances heading home. That responsibility lies on the shoulders of Bradley Wright-Phillips, one of the league’s best finishers.
Key matchup -- Columbus’ wings vs. New York’s fullbacks
Kei Kamara is the Crew's leading scorer and Federico Higuain is their Designated Player, but their wide men are the most important part of their attack. They're just as likely to cut in and shoot as they are to break wide and cross, and they'll force the Red Bulls' fullbacks into some tricky decisions.
Columbus Crew SC injuries and suspensions
Out: Kristinn Steindorsson (knee), Mohammed Saeid (hamstring). In doubt: Tony Tchani (leg).
New York Red Bulls injuries and suspensions
Out: Chris Duvall (leg), Anatole Abang (hamstring), Damien Perrinelle (knee).
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 5 p.m. ET
Venue: Mapfre Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
TV: ESPN (U.S. -- English), ESPN Deportes (U.S. -- Spanish), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.)
Online: Watch ESPN (U.S.), TSN Go/MLS Live (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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