Our prediction for this MLS match:
Columbus Crew
Match Time & Date:
04/11/2018
03:00 PM
Prediction: 1-1
New York Red Bulls
Columbus Crew play host to New York Red Bulls at their MAPFRE Stadium in the Eastern Conference semis, first leg. Columbus Crew finished the regular season in fifth place in the standings and they set up a meeting with the Metros by beating DC United on penalties, whilst the visitors finished the regular season in top position in the standings. New York Red Bulls are seen as favourites to win this double-header, but seeing that Columbus are tough to beat at home, we predict that the two sides are going to share the spoils in Sunday’s football match. The Crew are on a seven-game unbeaten run at home ground and that is probably the main reason why away win should not be considered. However, you should bear in mind that New York Red Bulls are on a five-game winning run in MLS.
Highlighted Player (Cristian Martinez):
Cristian Martinez is a Columbus Crew midfielder who was born in Panama City on February 6, 1997. Martinez began his senior career in 2012 at local club Chorrillo, but after four years he was sent on loan to MLS club Columbus Crew. The Panama footballer found the net for Columbus on his MLS debut on June 1, 2016, becoming the youngest goal scorer in the club history.
Cristian Martinez played for the likes of Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Cincinnati on loan as well, but in 2018 he returned to the MAPFRE Stadium outfit. The Columbus footballer made his debut for Panama national football team against El Salvador on February 18, 2016, coming as a substitute for Armando Cooper in the 78th minute of the match.
Martinez made his first start for Panama in a 1-0 loss to Nicaragua in a friendly game on March 16, 2016. The Columbus midfielder has five caps for Panama U20 team as well as he represented los Ticos at the 2017 CONCACAF U20 Championship.
Highlighted Team (New York Red Bulls):
New York Red Bulls is the first club from New York City to join Major League Soccer. In 2006 the club was sold to Red Bull GmbH and, as a result, they are nicknamed the Red Bulls. New York welcome their rivals at Red Bull Arena and the team’s home colors are white and red.
On the other hand, the Red Bulls wear dark blue shirts and yellow shorts on the road. In 2008 New York Red Bulls made it to the MLS Cup final, but they were not capable of matching Columbus Crew (1-3) in the Home Depot Center clash. A number of top-class footballers were part of the team in the past, but former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry is the synonym of the club.
Henry scored 51 goals in 122 league games for New York Red Bulls from 2010 to 2014 and it has to be noted that he scored his first MLS hat-trick in a 5-2 victory over Montreal Impact on March 31, 2012. The likes of Youri Djorkaeff, Lothar Matthaus, Roberto Donadoni, Rafael Marquez, Juninho and Tim Cahill played for the club in the past as well.
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