Columbus is coming into this match playing in very good form to end the regular season. They have won their last 3 straight matches and their attack has been on fire in these, scoring at least 3 goals in each match. When playing at home, they have won their last 2 straight as well as 3 of their last 4 matches there, their only loss in that span coming against Inter Miami who was the only team in the MLS this season to finish higher than Columbus in the table, and Columbus has outscored their opponents 7-2 in their last 2 home matches as well. Columbus is the 2nd seed in the East, but they are also the defending champions and have had a very good season, winning the Leagues Cup as well as going to the CONCACAF Champions Cup Final. They are going up against a New York Red Bulls team that has not been in good form in their recent matches. They have lost 3 of their last 4 as well as 4 of their last 6 matches to end the season with only 1 win in that span. Their defense has been awful in these matches as well, allowing at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches and allowing 5 goals total in their last 2 matches alone. When playing away from home, they have lost 2 of their last 3 matches with their only win in that span coming against Toronto who did not even make the playoffs. The Red Bulls are the number 7 seed in the East, but they were actually much higher in the table throughout the year and their poor performance down the stretch dropped them into the 7th seed. Even when these two meet, Columbus has won the last 3 straight as well as 4 of the last 5 meetings between these two and they have won the last 3 straight meetings at home as well, outscoring the Red Bulls 7-2 in those 3 matches. Columbus will win this match at home and take a series lead here.
USA MLS Playoffs: Columbus Crew ML, Rot. 209822