Red Bulls sweep out defending champion Crew to advance in MLS Cup playoffs

HARRISON, N.J. — Daniel Edelman scored the winning goal in a shootout as the New York Red Bulls defeated Columbus 7-6 in a thrilling match that ended in a 2-2 draw, resulting in the defending champions being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Despite being the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, New York took a 2-1 lead with Emil Forsberg scoring a penalty kick in the 80th minute after providing his first playoff assist earlier in the game.

Columbus managed to equalize in stoppage time with Christian Ramírez scoring, but the Red Bulls ultimately prevailed in the shootout with goalkeeper Carlos Coronel making crucial saves.

Both teams traded goals, with Max Arfsten scoring for Columbus and Dante Vanzeir equalizing for the Red Bulls. Coronel’s stellar performance in goal helped secure the victory for New York.

The win marked a significant upset as the Red Bulls advanced to the next round, sending the defending champions home. The Red Bulls have a strong record at home against Columbus and have been performing well in recent playoff matches.

The victory was a testament to the Red Bulls’ determination and skill, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of their playoff journey.