Crew finish regular season with late goal win over Red Bulls
Saturday, October 19, 2024
By Kevin Rouch
krouch@cbussports.com
Malte Amundsen (18) scored a goal seven minutes into stoppage time in the second half and the Crew won 3-2 on the road over the New York Red Bulls Saturday. Photo courtesy of the Columbus Crew
Saturday was Decision Day around the MLS, the final day of the regular season when playoff positions are determined.
There were no real ramifications for the Crew in their match in New York against the Red Bulls. They had locked up the second spot in the Eastern Division on Oct. 6, with a win against Philadelphia, but there was no possibility, determined before that, that they could catch first-place Inter Miami.
There were reasons for the Red Bulls to compete Saturday. They had a chance to pass Charlotte and grab the sixth place spot in the East, but Charlotte beat D.C. United Saturday and the Crew, after giving up a two-goal lead, scored seven minutes into stoppage time in the second half to edge the Red Bulls 3-2.
New York winds up in seventh place, which means that they will play the Crew in the first round of the MLS playoffs, which begin next week. With Saturday’s win, the Crew swept the two-game series with New York this season. Columbus beat the Red Bulls 3-0 on March 16 at Lower.com Field.
The Black & Gold took a two-goal lead in Saturday’s match at Red Bull Stadium in Harrison, N.J. Aziel Jackson scored just two minutes into the first half. Yevhen Cheberko added a goal at the 14 minute mark and the Crew took a 2-0 lead to the dressing room at the half.
That lead lasted until Emil Forsberg scored twice in a nine-minute span, the second coming with just three minutes left in regular time. The Crew took the final lead when Malte Amundsen scored in the seventh minute of stoppage time. With the victory, Columbus finished the 34-match season with 19 wins, nine draws, and six losses.
Even though the Crew’s playoff position was locked in before the match, Amundsen reacted emotionally after his goal. “It was nice, obviously,” said Amundsen. “I think the big celebration came because there’s a lot of emotions after two frustrating goals that we conceded after playing a great game.”
The Black & Gold now head back to the playoffs to defend their 2023 MLS Cup championship. The day and time of the first match with the Red Bulls will be announce by Major League Soccer in the coming days.