Columbus Crew 2 and Orlando City B faced off for the first round of the MLS Cup NEXT Pro playoffs at Historic Crew Stadium on Sunday. The two teams traded regular season games, with the home team winning and scoring four in each match. Crew 2 won at home 2-1 to keep the club’s championship aspirations alive.

The first half was even with a goal apiece and Orlando edging possession 50.2 percent to 49.8%. The Black & Gold looked the most dangerous in the first half, putting four shots on goal, but most of the shots were from tough angles. In the 21st minute, Crew 2 almost got on the scoreboard first when wing back Jordan Knight put a ball into the penalty box and around the defenders for an on-rushing forward Mateo Bunbury. Bunbury attempted some acrobatics to reach the ball, but it was just marginally out of his reach. 

Columbus scored first in the 33rd minute when forward Gibran Rayo received the ball and danced around defenders in the 18-yard box until he was ultimately cut down and a penalty kick was called. Rayo stepped up to take the penalty, firing a hard shot that the goalkeeper was able to parry away. The shot was too difficult to catch, and wing back Noah Fuson was first to the ball and did not miss.

Bunbury almost doubled the lead in the 35th minute when a long pass found him behind the defense and onside. But Orlando goalkeeper Javier Otero cleared the ball out before he could reach it. 

The Lions soon equalized when left fullback Franco Perez received a pass behind the defense, and the Columbus defenders held their hands up, hoping for an offside call. Perez took a couple touches to goal and launched a shot to the near post.

Towards the end of stoppage time, Rayo was brought down by what seemed to be his head by Orlando midfielder Juninho, but Juninho was only given a yellow.

The second half was uneventful until the 88th minute when substitute midfielder Thomas Roberts dribbled around a couple defenders and was fouled in the 18-yard box. Captain and midfielder Marco Micaletto stepped up to take the penalty and a fight broke out. Rayo and Orlando forward Eduardo Acuna were given red cards. Otero was given a yellow as well. After the dust settled, Micaletto put his shot past the goalkeeper to give Crew 2 a 2-1 lead.

The eventful final moments continued as Orlando pushed to equalize. The Lions won a corner in stoppage time and pushed Otero up to support the attack, but when Columbus won the ball back, Otero decided to tackle Bunbury, earning a second yellow card and a sending off. 

Crew 2 could have continued to push forward as the team brought on substitute attacker Brent Adu-Gyamfi, but the Black & Gold did not take any shots, opting to pass the ball around in the attack to kill the game off. Micaletto went down while fending off a defender, but no whistle was called. The ball was played out by Orlando and the referee’s attention was diverted. An Lions player went over to Micaletto and said something that upset the Columbus captain, who wisely did not retaliate while on a yellow card. Orlando did not go down easy, but as they saw their ship sinking, they also seemed to want to take Crew players out. 

What’s next

Crown Legacy FC, New England Revolution II, Columbus Crew 2 and New York Red Bulls II were the top four teams in the Eastern Conference, respectively, each team advanced to the next round. Columbus will likely play on the road for the next match as Crown Legacy will get to choose the team’s next opponent. If Crown Legacy chooses to host New England, then the Black & Gold will host New York. 

The next round of the MLS NEXT PRO playoffs will be on Oct. 7 and 8, with the matchups to be determined.