HARRISON, N.J. (October 16, 2016) – The New York Red Bulls defeated Columbus Crew SC, 2-3 on Sunday afternoon at Red Bull Arena. Bradley Wright-Phillips' 70th minute game-winning goal extended New York's franchise-record unbeaten streak to 15 games in MLS play.
The 15-game unbeaten streak ties the longest streak in MLS this season. Colorado ran off 15 unbeaten earlier in the 2016 season.
New York set a new club record for home wins in a season, with the 13th win at RBA. The previous record of 12 was set last season. New York's 13 home wins this season are also the most in MLS.
With the win, New York has all but secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference. At 54 points, in first place of the Eastern Conference, the Red Bulls lead NYC FC by three points with one game remaining. In the event of a tie in points, after next week, The Red Bulls cannot lost the game on the first tie breaker, total wins, and currently lead the second tiebreaker, goal differential, 15-2.
Jesse Marsch won his 33rd regular season game as head coach of New York, surpassing his mentor, Bob Bradley, for third-place on the all-time franchise list.
Since the start of 2012, New York has the most home wins in MLS, with 57 at Red Bull Arena.
Mike Grella scored just after halftime to put the Red Bulls ahead. Grella tooks a feed from Sacha Kljestan at the penalty spot and fired a shot by Brad Stuver. Chris Duvall also earned an assist on the play. The goal was Grella's seventh of the season, enough for second-most on the team.
Bradley Wright-Phillips doubled New York's lead five minutes later, burying a ball from Alex Muyl from the left side of the six-yard box.
Wright-Phillips reclaimed the lead in the MLS golden boot race with his 23rd of the season in the 70th minute, finishing a corner kick from Kljestan that was headed on by Aurelien Collin. Wright-Phillips leads NYC FC's David Villa by one goal for most in MLS heading into the final weekend of play.
Columbus nearly amounted a comeback with goals in the 73rd and 83rd minute, but New York held on for the victory.
Sacha Kljestan leads MLS with 19 assists this season, also a New York single-season franchise record. It was also the tenth game-winning assist of Kljestan's New York career, second-most in club history. Kljestan has nine multi-point games this season.
Luis Robles made his 139th consecutive regular season start in goal for New York. Robles added to his franchise records for career wins (65).
Following the match, Dax McCarty (franchise appearances, minutes played) Sacha Kljestan (franchise single-season assists) and Luis Robles (MLS consecutive games played)were recognized for records set during the 2016 season.
The Red Bulls close the regular season on the road at Philadelphia next Sunday, October 23. MLS Decision Day kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET.
By virtue of securing a top-two finish in the East, New York will be away for the first leg of the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoff Eastern Conference Semifinals. New York will host the second leg on Sunday, November 6.
