New York Red Bulls knock reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew out of playoffs

There will be no repeat MLS Cup title for the Columbus Crew.

The New York Red Bulls pulled off one of the biggest shocks in MLS playoff history, knocking off the Crew in a two-game sweep. The Red Bulls sealed the deal Sunday, beating the defending MLS Cup champion in a penalty kick shootout following a 2-2 stalemate and Tuesday’s 1-0 victory at the higher seed’s venue.

After the Crew opened to a 3-1 advantage in the shootout sequence, goalkeeper Carlos Coronel played the hero. The Paraguay international made a crucial stop on Yevhen Cheberko’s potentially decisive spot kick before saving shots from Max Arfsten and Alexandru Mățan in consecutive kicks to extend the shootout to a seventh round.

Homegrown midfielder Daniel Edelman stepped up against U.S. youth international teammate Patrick Schulte and made no mistake with an emphatic attempt, sending his team to the next round.

The win marks New York’s first trip to the conference semifinals since 2018, snapping a five-year run of first-round exits for one of MLS’s founding members.

After a deadlocked first half, the Crew found its opening goal from substitute Arfsten, who struck in the 55th minute with his first touch after entering the match. However, the Red Bulls rallied to equalize within ten minutes, with Belgian striker Dante Vanzeir pulling things level before Emil Forsberg gave New York a 2-1 lead after an 80th-minute penalty kick. Another Columbus super-sub stepped up, as Christian Ramirez headed home an equalizer in the sixth minute of stoppage time to force a shootout.

While Schulte made two saves — on John Tolkin’s opening kick and Sean Nealis in the sixth round — it wasn’t enough to force a third game. Red Bull Arena was immediately lit in deep red as Edelman’s attempt punctured the net.

Columbus extends a stretch of MLS Cup champions who failed to claim a second consecutive title. The LA Galaxy was the last back-to-back winner, which they accomplished in 2011 and 2012 with a squad led by Landon Donovan, David Beckham and Robbie Keane.

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(Photo: Mark Smith / Imagn Images; Graphic: Jeff Reuter / The Athletic)