HARRISON, NJ(SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS NOV. 03-04, 2024)-The #7-Seeded NYRedBulls stuns the MLS defending champions Columbus Crew 5-4, in penalty shots, eliminating them of the tournament while advancing to the 2024 MLS Eastern semifinal rounds at RedBulls Arena.

With the win, the NYRedBulls advances to the semifinals rounds to face the winner of the match between NYCFC vs FC Cincinnati to be played on Nov. 09, at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The RedBulls who pulled-away with a 1-0, upset win over Columbus last Tues. October 29, battled the Crew back and forth with counter-attacks, and in final five minutes of the first half,  the visitors hit the goalpost twice within 10's apart and 2' minute later Diego Rossi strike was saved by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel to send both teams to the locker-room scoreless at the half.

In the 2nd half, The Crew opened the score to take 1-0, lead by Maximilian Arfsten who scored his fifth goal of the season and first in the playoff. The Play was originated during a counter attack through the right side field, midfielder Dylan Chambost centered the ball inside the 18' to striker Cucho Hernandez who immediately gave it to Arfsten and scored with a rolling right-footed into back of the net for  1-0, Columbus over NYReBulls at 55' mark.

New York answered back with the equalizer nine minute later with goal scored by forward Dante Vanzeir (Belgium) at 64' mark. In a counter-attack through the left-side field, Alex Morgan on a break-away passed the ball to Emil Forsberg who squeezed a rolling pass inside the 18' to Vanzeir and scored with a hard left-footed through the legs of goalkeeper Patrick Schulte to tie the game 1-1. 

Ten minutes late into the game, the NYRedBulls took the lead when Emil Forsberg was brought down inside the 18' for a penalty call, and the kick was executed by Forsberg who put New York in front 2-1, at 80' mark.

With the game time winding down in Extra-time, Crew's defender Marcelo Herrera centered a corner kick inside the 18', finding Christian Ramirez who scored with header to tied the game 2-2, at 90+6 second stoppage time to stun the crowd and send the game to penalty shots.

There were 7-penalty shots executed by both teams with Daniel Edelman scoring the winning penalty shot, and goalkeeper Carlos Coronel stopping 3-consecutive penalty kicks to seal the victory of 5-4, for the RedBulls over the Columbus Crew.

NYRedBulls: Noah Eile, Wikelman Carmona, Elias Manoel, Emil Forsberg, and Daniel Edelman scored in the penalty rounds.

Columbus Crew: Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, Cucho Hernandez and Jacen Russell-Rowe scored for the Crew.


Article Written & Photo by Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated