The New York Red Bulls host the Columbus Crew on Sunday in the MLS Eastern Conference matchday 4 fixture between the third and first place clubs respectively. The New York Red Bulls are third in the conference table 2-0-1 on 6 points with a goal difference of +4. New York was defeated by Minnesota United 1-0 in its most recent fixture last Saturday. In their prior two matches, the Red Bulls defeated San Jose 3-1 and Toronto 4-1.
Including the playoffs, the Red Bulls have lost just three times over the last 16 matches when falling to San Jose last weekend. Over that span, New York has nine wins and four draws to go along with the three losses. Lewis Morgan is the leading goal scorer for New York with three, while Patryk Klimala is the leader in assists two and Frankie Amaya has two.
The Columbus Crew is first in the conference table at 2-1-0 on seven points with a goal difference of +5. Columbus defeated Toronto 2-1 at home last Saturday. Lucas Zelarayan and Derrick Etienne Jr each scored one goal and assisted on another in the victory for Columbus. Prior to last week's victory, Columbus opened the season with a 4-0 victory over Vancouver and followed that with a 3-3 draw against San Jose.
Columbus has taken seven points from its first three matches for the fourth time in the last five years. Columbus has scored nine goals across those three matches which is a new club record for three matches to open the season. Lucas Zelarayan is the leading goal scorer for Columbus with four, while Derrick Etienne Jr has scored two. Steven Moreira, Zelarayan and Etienne each have two assists to lead the Crew.
