The New York Red Bulls path to MLS Cup starts on Sunday in Columbus, Ohio.
The Red Bulls will face Columbus Crew SC, kicking off at 3 p.m. ET at MAPFRE Stadium, in Leg 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. New York is ready and rearing to go.
"You can see there’s a buzz within the team and an excitement within the team knowing we work all year to be in this spot," Head Coach Chris Armas said. "We’re ready to get over to Columbus now."
Crew SC topped D.C. United on penalty kicks to get through the Knockout Round to take on the Red Bulls.
"We know Columbus is going to come out firing," Tim Parker said. "Those kind of games that they play in, sometimes you think that it’s tiring for them, but sometimes it’s also energizing to get a win like that."
"We all know Columbus is very good with the ball, they invite our press and they want to be able to break that press and they take pride in it," Parker said. "For us, it’s going to be disciplined at times of when to press and when not to press and just be ready to defend but then obviously when they’re open and spread out we have to be able to attack that."
The Red Bulls and Columbus last faced off on July 28 at Red Bull Arena when Columbus edged New York, 3-2.
"We had a great regular season, but that’s one part and now there’s the second part," Daniel Royer said. "We want to have a good start in the playoffs."
New York and Columbus clash for the third time in a two-legged series and fourth time overall in the playoffs. Columbus has edged New York in the last two two-legged series by an aggregate of 6-4 (1998) and 2-1 (2015).
"When I saw that they advanced I thought here’s an opportunity to sort of redeem that ’15 experience," Robles said. "I think no matter who we play, we’re feeling really good about our season and what we’ve been able to accomplish and there’s just a lot of confidence in the way that we want to play and knowing no matter who we play against we have what it takes to get the necessary results to continue.
The two teams stack up well against each other.
"Columbus is a really good team," Royer said. "They love the ball, they love possession, I think it sets up to a good soccer game since the two teams are just really different, their type of play. We know what to expect, of course, they have some real quality players on the field.I think we just have to stick to our game plan, stick to our philosophy and just keep going the same way that we did in the regular season. I know play is always a bit different, it’s kind of their own rules – everything can happen. But in general, just stick to the way we are and just go for it, no holding back no [nervousness] or anything."
The Red Bulls know they need to be up for Crew SC.
"I just know that this is a well-coached team, it’s a very good roster, and they’re going to be up for it," Robles said. "They’re going to give us a very good challenge, so we have to make sure that, mentally, we’re ready."
