Venue: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (also known historically in some contexts as Lower.com Field), Columbus, Ohio. Capacity approximately 20,000. Home of the Columbus Crew.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (11:30 p.m. UTC).
Broadcast on Apple TV (MLS Season Pass).
Weather forecast: Warm and humid with a high likelihood of showers and thunderstorms. Daytime highs around 77–83°F, overnight lows in the upper 60s°F. Precipitation chances 60–80%+ (showers likely, possible thunderstorms, with potential for heavier rain in the evening). Light south/southeast winds (around 5–10 mph). Muggy conditions may affect the pitch and play if storms impact the area near or during the match.
Recent Team Forms
Both teams are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and fighting for late playoff positioning or to avoid finishing near the cellar.
Columbus Crew: Recent form includes a 3-0 home win over Colorado Rapids on Sept. 5 (snapping a skid with contributions from newcomers) followed by a 1-2 loss at D.C. United on Sept. 9. They have struggled overall under interim coach Laurent Courtois (following earlier changes), with defensive vulnerabilities and inconsistency. They average around 1.5 goals scored and 1.7 conceded per game in recent stretches, showing occasional attacking flashes but poor results against conference foes (roughly 4-9-4 vs. East).
New York Red Bulls: Coming off a 0-2 loss at LAFC on Sept. 9 and a 0-0 draw at Seattle on Sept. 5. They have mixed results, with road struggles and a negative goal difference. They generate solid shot volume (high in the league for shots on target in some rankings) but convert inconsistently. Recent form shows difficulty securing wins away from home.
Series History
This is the second meeting of the 2026 season; the Red Bulls won the first encounter 3-2 at home on May 13. All-time, the series is very close and competitive across decades of MLS meetings (New York edges or is near-even in total wins, with numerous draws). Columbus has historically been strong at home in the matchup, while recent games have often been tight or open. Expect another competitive Eastern Conference clash.
Injury and Suspension Reports
Columbus Crew: Wessam Abou Ali (forward/DP, team-leading scorer with 5 goals earlier) is out for the season with a torn ACL/meniscus (knee injury from April). Also out: Sekou Bangoura (ankle) and Rudy Camacho (foot). The attack relies on remaining options and recent summer additions.
New York Red Bulls: Ronald Donkor (midfielder) is suspended due to yellow-card accumulation. AJ Marcucci (goalkeeper) is out long-term (knee). Other notes include potential monitoring for Justin Che (hobbling late in the LAFC match) and limited additional absences in some reports (though Squawka listed the Red Bulls as relatively available beyond noted suspensions). Key available pieces include attackers and midfield creators.
Both sides will lean on depth and recent signings due to key absences.
Current Player Rosters and Key Matchups
Columbus Crew key players:
GK: Patrick Schulte (primary).
Defenders: Sean Zawadzki (captain), Malte Amundsen, Steven Moreira, Andrés Herrera, Eric Bailly, Mohamed Farsi, Brooks Lennon (Camacho out).
Midfielders: Santiago Rodríguez (recent addition, impactful), Brais Méndez, André Gomes, Dylan Chambost, Tarun Karumanchi, Mohamed Farsi.
Forwards: Josef Martínez, Gonzalo Tapia (recent addition), Taha Habroune, Jamal Thiaré, others (Abou Ali out).
New York Red Bulls key players:
GK: Ethan Horvath (primary).
Defenders: Justin Che, Dylan Nealis, Tim Parker, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Omar Valencia, Robert Voloder, Julián Bazán.
Midfielders: Emil Forsberg (captain/key creator), Adri Mehmeti, Ronald Donkor (suspended).
Forwards/attackers: Julian Hall (leading scorer with ~9 goals), Jorge Ruvalcaba (~7 goals), Cade Cowell, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Mijahir Jiménez.
Key matchups:
Columbus’ midfield creativity (Rodríguez, Méndez, Farsi) and remaining forwards (Martínez/Tapia/Habroune) vs. Red Bulls’ back line (Nealis/Che/Parker) and Horvath — Crew need clinical finishing after recent improvements.
Red Bulls’ Julian Hall and Ruvalcaba (pace/finishing) + Forsberg’s vision vs. Columbus’ central defense (Zawadzki/Amundsen) and Schulte.
Physical and transition battles in midfield, with both teams missing experienced pieces; home crowd and potential weather could favor Columbus’ pressing or set-piece opportunities. Red Bulls’ shot volume tests Crew organization.
Betting Trends
Columbus is favored at home despite poorer overall record, reflecting venue advantage and recent attacking additions. They have been competitive when scoring first or at home.
Red Bulls generate shots but struggle on the road and in conversion; their H2H win earlier this season shows capability.
Series and recent form lean competitive/goals possible (BTTS often factors in); totals around 3.5 reflect both teams’ defensive issues balanced against missing key scorers.
Weather (rain/storms) could suppress open play or favor set pieces/under.
MATCH ODDS
New York Red Bulls + 280
Columbus Crew SC – 135
Draw + 320
Over 3.5 + 105 Under 3.5 – 130
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 11, 2026
