The 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs begin on Tuesday for the Columbus Crew. The defending champs and number two seed in the Eastern Conference (and indeed the whole league) are facing New York Red Bulls in a best-of-three series in the first round of the competition. The Crew beat the Red Bulls both times they faced off in the regular season, including a 3-2 victory at Red Bull arena on Decision Day just 10 days ago. Despite their dominance over Red Bull in the regular season, Red Bull will provide a stern test for Columbus as they look to defend their triumph from a season ago. Due to their opposite playing styles and inevitable familiarity with each other, the Crew needs be ready for a battle in round one of these playoffs. Here is everything you need for round one, match one, of the Columbus Crew’s 2024 playoff campaign.

New York Red Bulls at a Glance:

Record: 11-14-9, 47 points 

League Form: L,L,W,L,D

Leading Scorer: Lewis Morgan  (13)

Assist Leader: Dante Vanzeir  (9)

Player to Watch: Emil Forsberg

Forsberg is one of the marquee signings of the MLS offseason and has hit the ground running so far with Red Bull, despite missing significant time with injuries. Formerly of German side RB Leipzig, Forsberg brings bundles of Bundesliga and Champions League experience with him to New York, not to mention International experience with Sweden. His quality and experience was on full display 10 days ago as he almost single-handedly orchestrated a comeback from two goals down for his side.

Forsberg typically operates in the central part of the field for New York, but has the freedom to roam around the field and find space to operate in. Forsberg isn’t necessarily a player who will run at back lines with the ball, he would rather pull the strings in attack by finding his teammates with well-timed passes in the attacking third. However, that doesn’t mean that Forsberg can’t wiggle his way past defenders when given the opportunity. Perhaps the thing that sticks out most about Forsberg compared to his contemporaries in MLS is his ball-striking ability. Forsberg has the ability to pass, serve crosses and shoot with the utmost precision. This ball-striking ability makes him incredibly dangerous anywhere in the attacking third as he has the ability to either score himself or set up his teammates from just about anywhere. The Crew will need to keep close tabs on Forsberg in this match and beyond in order to beat RBNY and move to the next round.

How New York Red Bull plays: 

Red Bull under first-year head coach Sandro Schwarz has been one of the most interesting playing style adaptations of the 2024 campaign. While the high pressing and intensity of play remain, Red Bull has shown more of a willingness to keep the ball thus far in 2024. In addition to their willingness to keep possession more in 2024, the Red Bulls have also been far more willing to push numbers into the attack so far this season. Despite their exploration of new tactics, I expect that Red Bull will be happy to press the Crew high up the field and play direct balls in behind for their frontline to chase down. Particularly because this was what worked for them in the most recent meeting between these two sides, as Red Bull drew level from two goals down in the second half. Look for more of a “typical” Red Bull style on Tuesday.

Red Bull has preferred a 4-4-2 shape for much of the season, and there’s no reason to expect much difference in this match. This shape allows Red Bull to press high all over the field while retaining defensive cover. This shape also helps Red Bull circulate the ball from side to side, while keeping numbers up the field in order to threaten their opponents. This flexibility is a main reason why Schwarz had largely used this formation in this campaign. 

How the Crew can win:

1. Play Through the Pressure: In the two previous meetings between these two sides, the Crew put on a masterclass of attracting pressure, and then playing through that pressure. The second goal in their previous meeting scored by centerback Evgen Cheberko is a great example of this. When the Crew are doing this, Red Bull and everyone else in the league will struggle to beat them. 
2. Defend Long Balls: Teams have given the Crew problems all year by playing long balls over the wingbacks for attacking players to run onto. Red Bull will look to do exactly the same in this match. This will be especially prevalent if there is no pressure on the Red Bull player in possession. These long balls over the top have been RBNY’s main focus when trying to move play into their opponent’s half. Look for the Columbus wingbacks, center backs and goalkeeper to do a good job cleaning these moments up.
3. Win Transition Battle: As with most matches between Columbus and Red Bull, this match will likely be won in transition. Red Bull have thrived in attacking transition for a long time now, and the Crew have been vulnerable to good attacking transition from their opponents for a long time as well. That part will be nothing new to Crew players, coaches, and fans alike. However this year, Red Bull are far more willing to push their outside backs higher up the field, which creates space for the Crew to counterattack into. Whichever team can win the transition battle on Saturday could very well be the happier of the two sides after 90 minutes.