New York Red Bulls Upset Defending MLS Cup Champs Columbus Crew in Round One Playoff Match
Carlos Coronel's Three Shootout Saves Lead Red Bulls to Victory
Red Bulls Win First Playoff Match Since 2018
HARRISON, N.J. - The New York Red Bulls upset the defending MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew in a penalty shootout in the first round of the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena.
Carlos Coronel saved three of Columbus' five penalty kicks, while Lewis Morgan, Luquinhas, and Elias Mano converted their attempts to give the Red Bulls a 3-1 victory in the shootout.
The game was scoreless after 90 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time. The Red Bulls had the better chances in the match, but they were unable to find the back of the net until the shootout.
The win is the Red Bulls' first in the playoffs since 2018. They will now advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, where they will face the top-seeded Philadelphia Union.
Coronel's Performance Was Key to the Red Bulls' Victory
Coronel was the hero for the Red Bulls in the shootout. He saved attempts from Lucas Zelarayan, Artur, and Yaw Yeboah to give his team the victory.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper has been in excellent form for the Red Bulls this season, and his performance in the shootout was further proof of his quality.
Coronel is now 3-0 in penalty shootouts in his MLS career. He is also the first goalkeeper in MLS history to save three penalties in a playoff shootout.
The Red Bulls Deserved the Victory
The Red Bulls were the better team on the night and deserved to win the match.
They had more possession, created more chances, and were more dangerous in attack than the Crew.
The Red Bulls also showed great resilience to come back from a goal down in the second half and win the match in the shootout.
The Red Bulls Are Now a Threat in the Playoffs
With Coronel in goal and a number of dangerous attacking players, the Red Bulls are now a threat to win the MLS Cup.
They have the quality to beat any team in the league, and they will be looking to make a deep run in the playoffs this year.
The Red Bulls will face a tough test in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Union, but they will be confident of their chances of victory.
