Since the start of the 2021 season, the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew SC have played five times, with each team winning twice and drawing once., with one goal scored in each of the five games or a draw. A goal that changed the outcome occurred in the final four games in the 87th minute or later.
Despite only giving up two goals, the New York Red Bulls (D2 L1) have lost their first three games of the season for the first time since 2014. New York is one of only six teams in MLS history to fail to win any of its first three games despite conceding two or fewer goals.
On Saturday, the Columbus Crew SC overcame a deficit to draw 1-1 with Toronto, avoiding defeat for the 10th time in their last 13 road games (W3 D7). However, Columbus’s ninth consecutive road defeat (D6 L3) occurred in that draw, with its most recent victory coming in Chicago in early July.
In their first three games this season, the New York Red Bulls have only faced three shots on goal, two of which have been successful. the three shots on track are the least looked by a group in their initial three matches of a season since the Los Angeles Galaxy (likewise 3) in 2010.
In the Crew’s 1-1 draw with Toronto FC on Saturday, Jimmy Medranda scored his fifth goal from outside the box, making it his 10th goal in MLS. R. Espinoza, L. Zelarayan, and R. Leal are the other three players who have scored ten or more goals since Medranda joined the MLS in 2013. At least half of Medranda’s goals have come from outside the box.
