Columbus Crew vs Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls stunned the defending MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew, with a 1-0 victory in Game 1 of the playoffs at Lower.com Field. Felipe Carballo scored the only goal in the 25th minute from a corner kick, while Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel made eight crucial saves to preserve the shutout. Columbus, who dominated possession with 76%, struggled offensively and failed to convert several scoring opportunities, with head coach Wilfried Nancy expressing disappointment over their lack of productivity. This loss marks the Crew's first home playoff defeat since 2015, putting them in a must-win situation for the upcoming match in New Jersey. The Crew will need to bounce back to stay alive in their quest for back-to-back titles, with the next game scheduled for November 3rd. The match highlighted a shift in the Red Bulls' strategy under new coach Sandro Schwarz, showcasing their defensive resilience against a strong attacking side.