Columbus Crew SC 2 (2-1-0), New York Red Bulls 0 (2-1-0)
Sunday, November 22 - 5 p.m.
MAPFRE Stadium - Columbus, Ohio
Scoring Summary:
- CLB - Justin Meram, 1'
- CLB - Kei Kamara, 85'
Misconduct Summary:
- CLB - Tyson Wahl (caution, misconduct) 46'
New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles; Kemar Lawrence, Ronald Zubar, Matt Miazga, Sal Zizzo, Dax McCarty ©, Felipe, Mike Grella (Gonzalo Veron, 66'), Sacha Kljestan, Lloyd Sam (Anatole Abang, 86'), Bradley Wright-Phillips
TOTAL SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 2; FOULS: 10; OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 10; SAVES: 5.
Columbus Crew SC: Steve Clark;Harrison Afful (Chris Klute, 89'), Michael Parkhurst ©, Tyson Wahl, Waylon Francis, Ethan Finlay (Cedrick, 80'), Wil Trapp, Tony Tchani, Justin Meram (Kevan George, 90+), Federico Higuain, Kei Kamara
TOTAL SHOTS: 15; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 9; OFFSIDE: 0; CORNER KICKS: 10; SAVES: 2.
- Referee: Allen Chapman
- Referee's Assistants: George Gansner,Jeff Muschik
- 4th Official: Mark Geiger
Attendance: 21,617 (sell out)
Box Score
Notes:
- The New York Red Bulls fell to Columbus Crew SC, 2-0, in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Championship series in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday night at Columbus' MAPFRE Stadium.
- Crew SC's Justin Meram opened the scoring just nine seconds in, the fastest goal in MLS playoff history. Kei Kamara added a second for Crew SC in the 85th minute.
- New York is 2-1-0 in the 2015 postseason, with two wins over D.C. United in the conference semifinals.
- The Red Bulls are 0-4-0 all-time in the playoffs against Columbus, including a 0-2-0 mark in Columbus.
- The loss also snapped a streak of 25 consecutive games with a goal scored for New York. The Red Bulls had scored in 25 consecutive games, including 23 regular season games and two playoff games.
- New York is 14-22-8 all-time in the playoffs. New York has 16 seasons all-time in postseason play and has been in the playoffs for five consecutive seasons.
- Meram's marker came right off the opening kick, when a long ball was headed on to Ethan Finlay by Kamara. Finlay was able to control and find Meram in the middle of the penalty area, and the midfielder fired a shot by Luis Robles. It was the quickest goal allowed by New York in a match this season.
- Meram's goal was also the first allowed by the Red Bulls in the 2015 postseason. New York shutout D.C. in both legs of the conference final series.
- Kamara tapped home a rebound after a Robles save in the 85th minute to double the advantage for the home team. It is the first goal the Red Bulls conceded to Kamara in four meetings this season.
- New York returns to action Sunday, November 29 in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Championship in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs against Columbus. Kickoff for the second leg at Red Bull Arena is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, with coverage on Fox Sports 1.
