The New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC will battle for the Eastern Conference and the Supporters’ Shield at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, October 3 in their third and final meeting of the season. Pregame coverage will begin on MSG at 6:30 p.m., with kickoff and regular match coverage scheduled for 7 p.m.
New York Red Bulls
- Record: 14-9-6, 48 points, 1st in the Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: Loss, 5-2 vs. Orlando City
- Record in Last Five Matches: 3-2-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: Bradley Wright-Phillips (14)
- Assist Leader: Sacha Kljestan (11)
- Saves Leader: Luis Robles (69)
Columbus Crew SC
- Record: 13-10-8, 47 points, 3rd in the Eastern Conference
- Previous Match: Loss, 2-1 vs. Portland Timbers
- Record in Last Five Matches: 3-2-0
- Leading Goal Scorer: Kei Kamara (22)
- Assist Leader: Ethan Finlay (13)
- Saves Leader: Steve Clark (99)
Scouting Crew SC
Crew SC’s strength is in their attack; they haven’t kept a clean sheet since July 15, allowing an average of 1.64 goals per game, but they also have only failed to score in 7 of their league matches this season. Overall, Crew SC has scored 50 goals this season, flowing from an attacking 4-2-3-1 formation that allows them to push forward.
Though Crew SC only needs a draw to secure a spot in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, the team will still likely be playing and pressing with urgency. They still have a possibility of winning the Supporters’ Shield but even more within reach are the Eastern Conference title and home field advantage in the playoffs.
Players to Watch
Nobody has to be reminded to watch Crew SC’s Kei Kamara, who is the leading goal scorer for both team and league with 22 goals so far this season. He’s logged at least one goal in his past three matches. And although he failed to score in these teams’ last meeting, on July 4, he assisted both goals that lifted Crew SC to their 2-1 win. Though Ethan Finlay, who was on the end of both assists in that match, is out on international duty, Kamara also frequently and successfully links up with midfielder Federico Higuain. Their partnership has yielded a combined 29 goals, 79 shots on goal, and 21 assists. Stopping these two will be a high priority for the Red Bulls defense. However, the pair will also be facing Luis Robles, who has recorded 6 of his 9 season shutouts at home.
With Matt Miazga out for international duty, Red Bulls defender Ronald Zubar is set to make his eighth appearance of the season. Though he hasn’t played against Crew SC yet, both he and Marsch insist that Kamara is the kind of forward that he will match up best against. Going forward, Zubar will be able to look to an in-form Sacha Kljestan, whose assist against Orlando City was his 11th of the season as well as his 6th in his last 8 matches. Kljestan has also created five chances against Crew SC this season, an average of 2.5 per game, which is slightly higher than his all-game average of 2.43.
