The Eastern Conference final will get underway this Sunday at MAPFRE Stadium with the Columbus Crew hosting the New York Red Bulls. The two teams finished second, and first respectively in the Eastern Conference, and will now play for a spot in this year’s Audi MLS Cup final. The last time these two clubs met in the MLS playoffs, the Crew topped the Red Bulls in the 2008 MLS Cup final. Seven years later the Red Bulls will be looking to avenge a defeat that robbed them of their first MLS Championship in their 20 year history.
The New York Red Bulls come into the series having dispatched DC United, shutting out their I-95 rivals on both legs by an aggregate score of 3-0. Columbus on the other hand, had a much tougher task in their last round, edging out Montreal with an aggregate of 4-3, an aggregate that needed extra time at MAPFRE Stadium to see Gregg Berhalter’s men overcome Drogba and company.
Over the course of the season the two teams met three times, The Red Bulls won two of those matches – 1 at Red Bull Arena, and 1 at MAPFRE – Columbus beat the Red Bulls at MAPFRE back in the beginning of June. 9 combined goals were scored in the three match ups, and if that offensive production is anything to go by it should be a good series between the two clubs.
Jesse Marsch’s team has had a very good year, grabbing the Supporter’s Shield in the process(despite having the lowest payroll in the league), but Marsch knows their work is far from done. They will face a Columbus Crew team, that is very familiar with the Red Bulls, and that plays a style that can give the Red Bulls problems, due to its contrasting styles. Columbus likes to play with speed and utilize the length of the field, while the Red Bulls focus on playing a compact formation heavily influenced by their midfield triangle.
Keys for the Columbus Crew
The Kamara threat
When you talk about the Columbus Crew, Kei Kamara is always going to be part of the discussion for his importance to the Crew’s success. The 6 foot , 3 inches Sierra Leone Native, will need to assume the marquee player role for the Crew. He is a dangerous presence in the box, both in set plays and open play, Kamara is the reference point in the heart of the box, and it’s how Columbus likes to attack opponents, judging by the staggering 675 open play crosses Columbus executed during the regular season. Kamara will need to be at his best to break down a stingy Red Bulls defense, as well as tie up New York’s defense to free up Finlay and Meram.
Defensive line absence
With Gaston Sauro serving a 1 game suspension, Gregg Berhalter will have to find a partner for Parkhurst in the middle of the defense. Whether it will be Emmanuel Pogatetz or Tyson Wahl stepping in for the Argentine, The Crew will have no time to lament Sauro’s absence and will need to keep the Red Bulls off the score sheet, as an away goal can be a crucial factor over the two leg match up.
Second plan protagonists
If Kamara is the reference point in Columbus’ attack, Higuain is his counterpart in the Crew’s midfield. The Argentine controls Columbus’ midfield and is often the “last pass” man with pinpoint accurate passes, and timely in-game reads. He will be the focal point of the Red Bull’s midfield, and that is the reason why Finlay, and Meram will need to step up and provide options when Higuain is being closely guarded.
Keys for the New York Red Bulls
Defensive Consistency
Facing one of the league’s most lethal finishers the Red Bulls defense will have to put forth their best effort. Matt Miazga has had success against some of the league’s top forwards, and with Kei Kamara’s physicality, and work rate both Miazga and Ronald Zubar will need to be on top of their game. Sal Zizzo and Kemar Lawrence will also need to remain vigilant as both Finlay and Meram like to get into the spaces between the full backs and the center backs.
The Triangle
The midfield triangle play of Felipe, McCarthy, and Sacha Kljestan has been one of the major keys for New York this season. The chemistry they have formed throughout the season can certainly break any team apart. Kljestan will need to play a major role by finding space in between lines and providing options for New York’s offensive transitions into the final third. McCarthy and Felipe will have their hands full shutting down Higuain and the more creative Meram on the defensive side of the ball. The Red Bull’s midfield will also need to successfully execute their counter-press in order to create mismatches in the offense, as well as remain defensively balanced to keep the Red Bull’s block compact.
Wing Play
With Bradley Wright-Phillips being the center of attention, both Mike Grella and Lloyd Sam have emerged as difference makers this year. Sam is one of the top 1-v-1 players in the league, and will need to bring his whole bag of tricks if New York are to come away from Columbus with a positive result. On the other side, the not as skilled, nor pacy, but just as resourceful Mike Grella can often times fly under the radar, but will hurt any team if given the chance. Both wing men will need to be involved in creating chances, if New York wants to take control of the series.
It should be a good match up for both fans and neutrals alike. New York’s season transformation has yielded tremendous results, and they want to continue on the path delineated by Ali Curtis when he took over the Sporting Director role before the start of the season. For Columbus it is a chance to erase the painful memories of last season’s unraveling.
