The Columbus Crew’s attempt to defend their 2023 MLS Cup title ends in the first round of the playoffs as they lose to the New York Red Bulls 5-4 in penalty kicks.

After losing the first game of the best-of-three series 1-0 at Lower.com Field, the Crew needed to win Game 2 on the road to stay in the playoffs.

The Crew initially took the lead in Game 2 when substitute Max Arfsten scored at the 55-minute mark.

However, a few mistakes by the Crew, including a foul by Rudy Camacho in the box leading to a penalty, gave New York a 2-1 advantage by the 80th minute.

Though New York was ahead at the end of regulation, Christian Ramirez managed to equalize with a header in stoppage time, making it 2-2.

The score remained level until the end of the match, leading to a penalty shootout.

In the first round of the penalty kicks, Columbus jumped ahead 1-0 as Diego Rossi scored, while John Tolkin’s attempt was saved by goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.

The teams both converted their next three attempts, leaving Columbus up 4-5 going into the final shot. However, Yevhen Cheberko missed, leading to a tiebreaker.

Cheberko’s miss marked the start of three consecutive failures by Columbus. Although Schulte saved the Red Bulls’ sixth shot, Daniel Edelman netted the seventh, sending New York to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

This elimination wraps up the Crew’s 50-game season, marking the first time they have not reached a tournament final this year.

New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew highlights

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls Penalty Shootout: Red Bulls win 5-4

A breakdown of each penalty kick during the shootout:

• Crew’s first penalty kick: Scored by Diego Rossi, Crew lead 1-0
• Red Bulls’ first penalty kick: Missed by John Tolkin, Crew lead 1-0
• Crew’s second penalty kick: Scored by Christian Ramirez, Crew lead 2-0
• Red Bulls’ second penalty kick: Scored by Noah Eile, Crew lead 2-1
• Crew’s third penalty kick: Scored by Cucho Hernandez, Crew lead 3-1
• Red Bulls’ third penalty kick: Scored by Wikelman Carmona, Crew lead 3-2
• Crew’s fourth penalty kick: Scored by Jacen Russell-Rowe, Crew lead 4-2
• Red Bulls’ fourth penalty kick: Scored by Elias Manoel, Crew lead 4-3
• Crew’s fifth penalty kick: Missed by Yevhen Cheberko, Crew lead 4-3
• Red Bulls’ fifth penalty kick: Scored by Emil Forsberg, tied 4-4
• Crew’s sixth penalty kick: Missed by Max Arfsten, tied 4-4
• Red Bulls’ sixth penalty kick: Missed by Sean Nealis, tied 4-4
• Crew’s seventh penalty kick: Missed by Alex Matan, tied 4-4
• Red Bulls’ seventh penalty kick: Scored by Daniel Edelman, Red Bulls win 5-4

Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls proceed to penalty kicks in MLS Cup first round Game 2

A last-minute goal from forward Christian Ramirez kept the Crew in the playoff chase, bringing Game 2 to penalty kicks after tying the game at 2-2.

(90+6′) Christian Ramirez nets goal in stoppage time, Crew tie 2-2 against New York Red Bulls

(90+5′) New York Red Bulls receive another yellow card

Defender Sean Nealis of the New York Red Bulls received a yellow card for a foul on Crew forward Jacen Russell-Rowe near midfield.

(90′) Columbus Crew awarded free kick close to New York Red Bulls’ goal

After being fouled just outside the box by a Red Bulls defender, Cucho Hernandez earned a free kick for the Crew. There was some debate about whether it should have been a penalty kick, leading to Hernandez also receiving a yellow card during the discussion.

Hernandez took the free kick, but it was blocked and cleared away by New York.

(86′) Columbus Crew make substitutions late in the game against New York Red Bulls

The Crew brought in Christian Ramirez for Mo Farsi and defender Andres Herrera for Rudy Camacho as they looked to change the game in the final minutes of Game 2.

(80′) New York Red Bulls score from penalty kick, Crew down 2-1

Following a foul by Crew defender Rudy Camacho in the box, the Red Bulls were awarded a penalty kick. Emil Forsberg took the shot and scored by placing it to the right while goalkeeper Patrick Schulte dove left, giving New York a 2-1 lead in Game 2.

(78′) New York Red Bulls receive penalty kick

The Red Bulls were granted a penalty kick after Rudy Camacho committed a foul in the Crew’s penalty area.

(74′) Patrick Schulte makes crucial save against New York Red Bulls

Red Bulls midfielder Emil Forsberg received a long pass and found himself in a one-on-one situation with Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte. Schulte managed to get a hand on Forsberg’s shot, sending the ball out of play.

(73′) Dylan Nealis of Red Bulls receives yellow card

In a somewhat delayed decision, Red Bulls defender Dylan Nealis was issued a yellow card after committing a foul against midfielder Dylan Chambost.

(64′) New York Red Bulls equalize, 1-1 in Game 2

During a quick transition after a battle for possession, New York connected three passes that reached forward Dante Vanzeir inside the box. Vanzeir quickly shifted to the left and scored past goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, tying Game 2 at 1-1.

(55′) Max Arfsten nets a goal for Crew, putting them ahead 1-0 in Game 2

Midfielder Max Arfsten, who just came off the bench, made an immediate impact by scoring the Crew’s first goal of the series, assisted by striker Cucho Hernandez. Columbus takes a 1-0 lead over the Red Bulls in Game 2.

Hernandez passed the ball to Arfsten, who was sprinting in from the left side of the box, allowing him to score effortlessly off the pass.

(49′) New York Red Bulls receive first yellow card against Columbus Crew

The first yellow card of the match was awarded to the Red Bulls when midfielder Felipe Carballo fouled Sean Zawadzki just outside New York’s box.

Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls tied 0-0 at halftime in MLS Cup first-round Game 2

Despite the Crew having seven more shot attempts than New York in the first half, the score remains 0-0 at halftime in Game 2 of the MLS Cup first-round series. Here are the halftime statistics:

Possession: Crew (59.1%), Red Bulls (40.9%)

Shots: Crew (9), Red Bulls (2)

Shots on goal: Crew (1), Red Bulls (0)

Fouls: Crew (3), Red Bulls (5)

Goalkeeper saves: Crew (0), Red Bulls (1)

(43′) Columbus Crew denied again on back-to-back shot attempts

The Crew retained their offensive thrust but were unable to find the net once more. In consecutive shot attempts, Diego Rossi’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, and Dylan Chambost’s attempt was blocked by Cameron Harper.

(39′) Crew hits the post on back-to-back shot attempts

In two successive opportunities, the Crew failed to score when both shots hit the post. The first was by Diego Rossi, followed by Cucho Hernandez.

(38′) Patrick Schulte prevents Red Bulls’ offensive play

The Red Bulls seized control after a turnover from the Crew and advanced into Columbus’ box. After several passes, New York attempted a cross, but goalkeeper Patrick Schulte intervened, halting the play.

(28′) Crew misses another free kick opportunity

The Crew had another chance to score from a free kick just outside the New York box after Cucho Hernandez was fouled. Hernandez took a shot, but it soared over the goal.

(16′) Red Bulls fail to capitalize on corner kick

After Crew defender Yevhen Cheberko cleared the ball out of play, the Red Bulls earned a corner kick. Midfielder John Tolkin sent the ball into the box, where defender Dylan Nealis tried to score with a header, but his attempt went wide.

(7′) Cucho Hernandez earns free kick for Crew outside Red Bulls box

Cucho Hernandez was fouled near the edge of the Red Bulls’ box on the left side, resulting in a free kick for the Crew. Hernandez took the shot, but it missed the target, veering too far to the right.

(4′) Cucho Hernandez’s initial shot attempt for Crew goes wide

Cucho Hernandez received a pass while making a run inside the Red Bulls’ box, but his header shot bounced away and went out of bounds.

Other ongoing MLS Cup first round series

The remaining first-round series in the Eastern Conference are still tied at 1-1, making the Crew vs. Red Bulls matchup the last Game 2 in the conference.

In the Western Conference, both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Minnesota United have already advanced to the conference semifinals. The other two series are in the middle of their Game 2s today.

Eastern Conference series:

• (1) Inter Miami vs (8) Atlanta United: Miami wins Game 1 (2-1), Atlanta wins Game 2 (2-1)
• (3) FC Cincinnati vs (7) New York City FC: Cincinnati wins Game 1 (1-0), NYCFC wins Game 2 (3-1)
• (4) Orlando City SC vs (5) Charlotte FC: Orlando City wins Game 1 (2-0), Charlotte wins Game 2 (3-1, PKs)

Western Conference series:

• (1) Los Angeles FC vs (8) Vancouver Whitecaps: LAFC wins Game 1 (2-1)
• (2) Los Angeles Galaxy vs (7) Colorado Rapids: Galaxy wins Game 1 (5-0), Game 2 (4-1)
• (3) Real Salt Lake vs (6) Minnesota United: Minnesota wins Game 1 (5-4, PKs), Game 2 (3-1, PKs)
• (4) Seattle Sounders vs (5) Houston Dynamo: Seattle wins Game 1 (5-4, PKs)

Starting lineup for New York Red Bulls in Game 1 against Columbus Crew

Here are the starting players for New York vs Columbus:

• GK: Carlos Coronel
• DF: Dylan Nealis
• DF: Sean Nealis
• DF: Andres Reyes
• MF: Felipe Carballo
• MF: Daniel Edelman
• MF: Emil Forsberg
• MF: Cameron Harper
• MF: John Tolkin
• FW: Lewis Morgan
• FW: Dante Vanzeir

Starting lineup for Columbus Crew in Game 2 vs New York Red Bulls

Here are the starting players for Columbus vs New York:

• GK: Patrick Schulte
• DF: Rudy Camacho
• DF: Yevhen Cheberko
• DF: Steven Moreira
• MF: Mo Farsi
• MF: DeJuan Jones
• MF: Darlington Nagbe
• MF: Sean Zawadzki
• FW: Dylan Chambost
• FW: Cucho Hernandez
• FW: Diego Rossi

Will Rossi be ready for Game 2 against the New York Red Bulls?

Crew forward Diego Rossi did not participate in Game 1 of the MLS Cup first-round matchup with the New York Red Bulls due to a back injury. After the match, Crew coach Wilfried Nancy shared updates on Rossi’s condition for Game 2. More details can be found below.

Referees for Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls Game 2

Below are the officials for tonight’s Crew vs New York match:

• Referee: Filip Dujic
• Assistant Referee 1: Jason White
• Assistant Referee 2: Adam Wienckowski
• Fourth Official: Mark Allatin
• VAR: David Barrie
• Assistant VAR: Jonathan Johnson

Columbus Crew’s overall record against the New York Red Bulls

The Crew has a record of 40 wins, 38 losses, and 13 draws against the New York Red Bulls. In playoff games, Columbus holds a 6-3 record against them.

How to tune into the Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls MLS Cup series radio broadcast

You can catch the English-language radio broadcast of the Crew vs. New York game on Alt 105.7 FM, also accessible through the iHeartRadio app, with Chris Doran providing commentary.

The Spanish-language broadcast will air on La Grande 102.5 FM and can be streamed via the La Grande radio app, featuring play-by-play by Juan Valladares.

Streaming details for Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls: MLS Cup first round

Game 2 of the Crew-New York series will be available for streaming on Apple TV via the MLS Season Pass. This option is accessible for playoffs using a free Apple TV login. The commentary teams for tonight’s game are as follows:

• English broadcast: Steve Cangialosi (play-by-play), Danny Higginbotham (analyst)
• Spanish broadcast: Bruno Vain (play-by-play), Andres Agulla (analyst)

When will Game 2 of the Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls MLS Cup series be played?

The match will kick off at 4:40 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 3 at Red Bulls Arena in Harrison, N.J.