Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy’s foremost message to gamers and followers forward of Recreation 2 in opposition to the New York Purple Bulls within the MLS playoffs was to not panic.
The Crew, the MLS Cup holders, misplaced 1-0 in Recreation 1 at Decrease.com Subject, having crushed the Purple Bulls 3-2 on the street on Resolution Day little over per week beforehand to complete 5 locations above them within the Jap Convention.
In addition they had loads of probabilities to get stage of their playoff opener, however have been saved out by nice goalkeeping.
“They did what’s Purple Bulls fashion,” Nancy instructed the Crew’s official web site.
“I feel that we had many, many probabilities so we must always rating at the least one aim. I don’t overlook that that they had the run in behind that was clear, and possibly they may rating, however I feel that we are able to rating a minimal of 1 aim.
“Pay attention, we attacked the field, they defended nicely. I feel that by way of ending we may have been higher at sure moments, however we’re going to deal with sure issues.”
The consequence on Tuesday signifies that Recreation 2 at Purple Bull Area is now a playoff eliminator for the Crew, however the coach was not going to make main modifications to their method.
“It doesn’t change,” stated Nancy.
“The message that I’ve is to remain calm. Keep calm as a result of once more, the sport was the sport that we needed to do, besides the ending and in addition the aim that we conceded.”
GAME ONE IS OURS #RedRunsDeep @AffinityFCU pic.twitter.com/sIKi9UnjUa
— New York Purple Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 30, 2024
Purple Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz was not getting carried away with the consequence both, regardless of main 1-0 within the collection and internet hosting Recreation 2.
“That is one step and we’ve got to proceed this and put together very critically for Sunday, the following sport in our stadium,” he instructed a press convention.
The Purple Bulls’ victory at Decrease.com Subject constituted the primary huge shock of the playoffs they usually have a possibility to create one other, figuring out victory would knock Columbus out.
However the magnitude of the duty at hand was not misplaced on Schwarz.
“What I can say is we’d like everybody in our stadium, everybody in our stadium to help the entire crew, as a result of it’s a giant alternative,” he stated.
“It’s a giant sport on Sunday. We should put together today now, for restoration, good video assembly, and good video session.
“What we should adapt in some moments after which on Sunday is kick-off. We want everybody within the stadium to create this ambiance, the particular ambiance, which you want in opposition to Columbus.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York Purple Bulls – Lewis Morgan
Morgan leads the goalscoring charts for the New York Purple Bulls with 13 targets in MLS this season.
Six of these targets have been the primary of the match and one other opener on this fixture could possibly be the start of the tip for his or her opponents’ playoff ambitions.
Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez
Hernandez completed the common season because the Crew’s prime scorer with 19 targets in MLS, one behind Lionel Messi and 4 again from prime scorer Christian Benteke.
He rounded off with six targets in his remaining six matches, whereas he had six photographs on aim in opposition to the Purple Bulls in Recreation 1.
MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW
The Crew’s three-match profitable streak was snapped final day out, however they have been MLS Cup champions in 2023 and completed second to Inter Miami within the Jap Convention this season.
Their defeat in Recreation 1 was simply their seventh loss in 48 matches in all competitions in 2024. Columbus haven’t misplaced back-to-back matches since Might 2023, whereas their final away defeat got here in July.
The Purple Bulls are winless in seven straight house video games (D4 L3), which is their longest such run at house since 2004-05.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York Purple Bulls – 26.2%
Draw – 23.5%
Columbus Crew – 50.3%
