The New York Red Bulls return home on Sunday, November 29 for the second leg of the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoff Eastern Conference Finals against the Columbus Crew. Columbus comes to Red Bull Arena up 2-0 on aggregate. The match is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. EDT and coverage will be on Fox Soccer 1.
Here are some numbers to know ahead of Sunday’s home leg:
1.65: Columbus Crew SC conceded an average of 1.65 goals per game away from home during the regular season. Columbus may choose to sit back and defend their aggregate lead, but it may not be an effective strategy.
2: Sacha Kljestan has not gone more than 2 games without an assist in 2015 (incl. both postseason and regular season) since June 20. His last assist now came two games ago, in the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals against D.C. United.
2.06: During the MLS regular season, the Red Bulls scored an average of 2.06 games at home. Those two goals would be enough, if the Red Bulls also hold Columbus to a shutout, to push the game into extra time and penalties.
3: 3 of Luis Robles’ 12 postseason appearances have been shutouts, two of which have been at home (Eastern Conference semifinals in 2014 and 2015, both against D.C. United).
7: The Red Bulls scored more than two goals in seven home games this season (all competitions): 3-0 vs. Atlanta Silverbacks in the Open Cup; 4-1 vs. the New York Cosmos in the Open Cup; 4-1 vs. New England Revolution; 3-0 vs. Toronto FC; 3-0 vs. D.C. United; 3-2 vs. Chicago Fire; 4-1 vs. Philadelphia Union. 3 of those 7 were 3-0 wins, and another of those would see the Red Bulls advance to MLS Cup on aggregate.
17: Following last Sunday’s loss, the Red Bulls slipped to only a 17% chance of reaching MLS Cup per SPI projections. However, the team is no stranger to adversity this season; the 5-2 loss to Orlando in September significantly dented their statistical chance of winning the Supporters’ Shield, and then when it came down to their needing to win it in Chicago the Shield looked all but lost. It will be an uphill battle, but it is not one that the 2015 New York Red Bulls have not faced – and won – before.
20: Columbus Crew SC conceded 2+ goals in 20 matches (9 home, 11 away) this regular season. In 6 of those 20 matches, Columbus also failed to score – and 5 of those 6 were away matches. But because the Red Bulls have failed to shut out the Columbus offense this season, and because of their 1.06 goals conceded/game at home record, they’ll need to capitalize on Columbus’ shaky away defensive record fast and early.
70: This MLS regular season, the Red Bulls won 70% their matches following losses (7 of 10). The last time a loss was followed by another loss was the team falling 2-1 to Vancouver on June 20, which was the last game of the Red Bulls’ winless streak in the beginning of the season. Of the 7 wins, 5 (71.4%) were home wins following any loss, home or away. 4 of the 7 (57.1%) were home wins following away losses, a ratio the Red Bulls seek to improve this Sunday.
99: Bradley Wright-Phillips has scored in the home leg of every playoff match in which he’s featured.
