Credit: Yahoo Sports
New York Battles to Draw with Columbus
Published: Saturday, August 30, 2025
by Alexander Rayer
HARRISON, N.J. -- The New York Red Bulls (11-11-7) tied in a scoreless match with the Columbus Crew (12-6-10) on Saturday night in a crucial matchup for both sides.
For New York, they just barely cling to the final wild card spot in the MLS playoffs after losing their last match to Charlotte F.C. With six games remaining in the regular season, Sandro Schwarz’s squad is eyeing another run at the postseason.
Columbus was upset as defending MLS Cup champions by the Red Bulls in 2024 and were facing them for the first time this season. The Crew had not been playing like themselves as of late, dropping their last matchup to a subpar New England Revolution team, drawing against Toronto F.C., and losing to Orlando City S.C. right before Leagues Cup play. Columbus entered Saturday night in 7th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
As for Saturday’s match, it got out to a quick start with multiple chances for the Red Bulls early. In just the first minute, Eric Choupo-Moting put a shot on goal for New York. Again in the eighth minute, Choupo-Moting stayed aggressive for the Red Bulls, putting another shot on goal for the thanks to a great pass from Mohammed Sofo.
The Crew stayed physical on the defensive side, picking up multiple foul calls consecutively in the early minutes. Dylan Chambost picked up a yellow card in the 30th minute as well. It was evident that Columbus was playing on their heels for much of the first half.
In the 42nd minute Choupo-Moting started a breakaway for the Red Bulls, quickly moving the ball up the field to Sofo who immediately found Forsberg in the box. The captain snuck a left footed shot past Columbus’ Keeper Patrick Schulte and into the back of the net. However, it was ruled that Forsberg was just barely offside, keeping the game scoreless at the half.
Out of the break, the Red Bulls kept the pressure on Columbus. In the 55th minute, Choupo-Moting had a shot stopped at the goal line by Schulte. Just three minutes later, Diego Rossi had a one on one breakaway opportunity for the Crew but his shot sailed wide right of New York’s Carlos Coronel.
Rossi’s chance would end up being the best scoring opportunity of the night for Columbus. Coronel only had to make one save all night for the Red Bulls.
The final opportunity of the match for New York happened in stoppage time, as Forsberg’s corner kick found Dylan Nealis wide open for a header in the box. Nealis' header sailed just high, and the game would end in a draw just moments later. Both Columbus and New York pick up a much needed point with the regular season winding down.
The match marked Coronel’s ninth clean sheet of the season. Additionally, the 27 year old Swede Gustav Berggren made his Red Bulls debut Saturday, subbing in during the second half. Berggren played in Poland for three years before signing with the Red Bulls at the end of June.
New York will not be in action until September 13th due to the FIFA International break. After the time off, they will travel west to take on the Portland Timbers on September 13 at 10:30 P.M. to start a two game road trip.
Alexander Rayer can be reached at alexander.rayer@student.shu.eduPosted in: sports,