MATCH PREVIEW: New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew SC


NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. COLUMBUS CREW SC
Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
November 29, 2015
Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, Eastern Conference Championship Leg 2
7:30 pm ET (FS1, FOX Deportes)

NYvCLB


2015 records
New York: 18-10-6; 12-3-2 at home
Columbus: 15-11-8; 6-7-4 on the road

2015 Series: NY went 2-1-0, including 1-0-0 at RBA 

2015 postseason records
New York: 2-1-0; 1-0-0 at home
Columbus: 2-1-0; 0-1-0 on the road

All-Time Playoff Series: NY is 0-4-0 vs. Columbus; 0-1-0 at home

The New York Red Bulls return home to sold-out Red Bull Arena this weekend to host the second leg of the Eastern Conference Championship against Columbus Crew SC. New York trails, 2-0 on aggregate, after last weekend's first leg at Columbus' MAPFRE Stadium.

Kickoff on Sunday is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Deportes. Red Bulls Internet Radio will also provide coverage in both English and Spanish via TuneIn, available through the TuneIn app and on www.newyorkredbulls.com through the TuneIn player.

New York Red Bulls fans everywhere can access the English and Spanish streams on the free TuneIn Radio app on over 200 platforms ranging from mobile phones and tablets, to smart TVs and vehicles. To listen, simply search "New York Red Bulls" on the free TuneIn Radio app or listen online at NewYorkRedBulls.com.

Seeing Red (www.seeingredny.com) will be on Red Bulls Radio on TuneIn Sunday from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. with hosts Mark Fishkin, Dan Dickinson and Eric Giacometti. Seeing Red will also be available with live video as well on NewYorkRedBulls.com

The winner of the conference championship will advance to MLS Cup on Sunday, December 6. Should New York advance, it would be the first time Red Bull Arena hosts MLS Cup.

After surrendering two goals in the first leg, New York needs to win by three goals or more to advance. For example, a 3-0 win would see the Red Bulls take the series, 3-2. A 4-1 Red Bulls win would see New York advance, 4-3, and so forth.

With a 2-0 New York win, the teams would be tied 2-2 on aggregate, forcing two 15-minute overtimes, played in their entirety. The away-goal rule does not apply in extra time. Should the teams remain tied after 30 minutes, the trip to MLS Cup would be determined by penalties.

Any other tie on aggregate, such as a 3-1 Red Bulls win on Sunday (3-3 aggregate), would see Crew SC advance with more away goals scored.

New York returns to Red Bull Arena, where it was 12-3-2 this season, setting a new franchise record for home wins in a season. The Red Bulls went 7-3-0 after a loss in MLS play this season, with all three defeats coming during a four-game slide from May 24 to June 20. Last weekend was also the first time since May 24 that New York had been shutout. The Red Bulls were held scoreless just twice this season, in back-to-back contests in May.

New York scored two or more goals in 21 games this season, going 17-3-1. New York was 10-3-1 when scoring two goals, and a perfect 7-0-0 when scoring three or more.

Columbus took the first leg on the strength of a goal from Justin Meram just nine seconds in, and an 85thminute marker from Kei Kamara. Meram's goal came off of the opening kick, when Kamara flicked on a long pass forward to Ethan Finlay. Finlay then found Meram in the middle of the box, and the midfielder was able to fire a shot by Luis Robles. Kamara doubled the lead by tapping in a rebound after Robles made a save in the 85th minute.