MLS Match Preview: New York Red Bulls (11-11-6) vs. Columbus Crew SC (12-6-9)

Weather Outlook

Forecast at Kickoff: ~72°F (22°C), clear skies, humidity ~55%, light WSW winds 4–6 mph

Impact: Ideal late-summer evening; minimal wind effect; fast pitch conditions favoring quick transitions

Injury & Availability Report

New York Red Bulls

Out: Keaton Parks (leg), Lewis Morgan (knee), Serge Ngoma (hamstring)

Notes: Emil Forsberg in form with goal contributions in 5 straight home matches; Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting healthy and starting

Columbus Crew SC

Out: Cucho Hernández (ankle), Sean Zawadzki (hamstring)

Notes: Diego Rossi leads attack with 13 goals; Patrick Schulte expected in goal despite minor knock midweek

Projected Starting XIs

New York Red Bulls (4-2-3-1)
Coronel (GK); Duncan, Nealis, Reyes, Tolkin; Yearwood, Amaya; Harper, Forsberg, Edelman; Choupo-Moting

Columbus Crew SC (3-4-2-1)
Schulte (GK); Moreira, Camacho, Cheberko; Farsi, Nagbe, Morris, Yeboah; Matan, Rossi; Russell-Rowe

Key Player Matchups

Emil Forsberg (NYRB) vs. Darlington Nagbe (CLB) – Forsberg’s creativity (9G, 9A) against Nagbe’s ball retention and defensive positioning.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (NYRB) vs. Rudy Camacho (CLB) – Choupo-Moting’s aerial threat vs. Camacho’s physical defending.

Diego Rossi (CLB) vs. Sean Nealis (NYRB) – Rossi’s pace and movement could exploit gaps if NYRB press leaves space in behind.

John Tolkin (NYRB) vs. Mo Farsi (CLB) – Tolkin’s overlapping runs vs. Farsi’s wingback coverage in transition.

Recent Team Form

New York Red Bulls – Last 6 MLS: W W L L W L

Home record: 10-2-2 (most home wins since 2018)

Goals For: 42 Goals Against: 37 GD: +5

8 clean sheets (29.6% of matches)

Columbus Crew SC – Last 6 MLS: W L L D W L

Away record: 4-5-3

Goals For: 42 Goals Against: 37 GD: +5

4 clean sheets (15.4% of matches)

Series History

All-Time MLS Regular Season: Columbus leads 34W – 33W NY – 13D

Last 5 at Harrison: NYRB 2W – 1L – 2D

2025 Season: First meeting; last year’s series split 1–1–1

Notable: Forsberg has 3 goals in 3 career matches vs. Columbus, including a brace at home last October

Betting Trends

NYRB: 10-3-3 when favored at home; 4 of last 6 matches Over 2.5 goals

CLB: 0-5-0 as underdog in 2025; 5 of last 10 away matches Over 2.5 goals

H2H Totals: Over 2.5 in 4 of last 6 meetings; both teams scored in 5 of last 7

Form Note: NYRB have scored 2+ goals in 5 of last 6 home matches vs. CLB

Suggested Wagering Model

Model Inputs:

Team xG: NYRB 38.1, CLB 43.4

Goals Conceded per 90: NYRB 1.37, CLB 1.42

Home/away splits & recent form

Key absences (Cucho Hernández for CLB)