With the 2025 MLS campaign beginning to dwindle down and playoff spots set to be clinched, the Columbus Crew traveled back to the place where their 2023 title defense hopes died to square off against the New York Red Bulls. Sitting at 10-2-2 at home, the Red Bulls were narrow favorites against the Crew to start out the match.

However, a lackluster performance with minimal scoring opportunities by both teams saw the match end level at 0-0.

The match also saw the first start of newly minted No. 9 Wessam Abou Ali, who had a decent showing entering the match in the 57th minute last weekend in the Crew’s 1-2 loss to the New England Revolution. Abou Ali gave the Black & Gold 80 minutes, registering two chances and completing 70% of his passes.

An underwhelming first half saw the Black & Gold maintain possession with 55%, but register zero shots in totality. For the Red Bulls, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting became the standout player with two quality chances in the first half. His first came just nine minutes in, when he entered the penalty area and began dancing around Sean Zawadzki before unleashing a soft shot with his right foot that was easily claimed by Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. The Cameroonian forward has another chance midway through the first period, when he got around Schulte and had a shot on goal from just inside the 18-yard box. Max Arfsten was quick to get back to the goal line, blocking the shot and ricocheting it off the near post. The Crew were saved by the offside flag, but questions arose about the accountability of the backline.

Columbus’ best chance of the first frame came near the end, when Diego Rossi floated in a free kick to the back post, forcing Carlos Coronel to make a save and concede a corner kick. The Crew was able to escape the half, but the lack of creativity in the attacking phase of play by the visitors overshadowed the fact that Columbus only had one big chance created.

Not much could be said of the second half except the fact that it went better than the first for Columbus.

With an expected goals (xG) percentage of 66%, Columbus saw the opportunity to finally shoot the ball, gaining three shots, with one being on target. The best chance of the half came when Abou Ali played a backheel pass into the path of Rossi, who was in on goal. The Uruguay forward took a couple of touches to put the ball in front, before ending with a low shot to the near post that just missed the framework, and could’ve catipulted Columbus in front.

In the 58th minute, Emil Forsberg attempted his best shot from midfield to catch Schulte off his line. The right-footed attempt went wide left, giving Columbus a sigh of relief.

With the 0-0 result, Columbus remains in seventh place in the Eastern Conference, just one point off of fifth place. Wilfried Nancy will have to ask questions to his team, and hope for the best with the season’s end just peaking over the horizon of Downtown Columbus.

What’s next?

The Columbus Crew are back on the road, heading south to take on Atlanta United. Kickoff from Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT. You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.