Without Diego Rossi, Columbus Crew held scoreless in MLS Cup first-round Game 1
After 48 consecutive appearances from Diego Rossi, the Crew were without the former league-leading scorer as they entered the MLS playoffs, and his absence on the front line was evident.
In Game 1 of the MLS Cup first round, the Crew lost 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls at Lower.com Field.
Replay: Columbus Crew shut out by Red Bulls, fall behind 1-0 in MLS Cup first round
With the first round being the only multi-game round of the playoffs, a best-of-three series, the Crew have to defeat New York on the road Sunday to stay alive this postseason and defend its 2023 MLS title.
Rossi missed the game with a back injury. Striker Cucho Hernandez is the team's leading scorer, but having Rossi has helped balance the pressure directed toward Hernandez.
Rossi finished the regular season with 12 goals, seven fewer than Hernandez. Additionally, Rossi recorded multiple two-goal games in Leagues Cup to lead Columbus to the final.
"Obviously on the ball, he's one of the guys that can get the ball and dribble in on other guys," Crew midfielder Darlington Nagbe said. "So dynamic, so hard to replace that, and it's up to us to just step up and try to fill that gap when he's not in there.”
The Crew started Alex Matan alongside Hernandez and Christian Ramirez on the front line.
The Crew failed to score on 16 shot attempts. Coach Wilfried Nancy made changes to the offense after nearly 60 minutes of scoreless play, swapping Matan and Ramirez for Aziel Jackson and Jacen Russell-Rowe, but they had no impact getting past the Red Bulls' defense.
"They did what is the Red Bulls style. They are really aggressive," Nancy said. "I think that we had many, many chances, so we should score at least one goal. ... We attacked the box, they defended well. I think that in terms of finishing we could have been better at certain moments."
Against Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls carried by season-best outing from goalkeeper Carlos Coronel
Eight Crew shots were saved by Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel.
There were several occasions when Coronel was able to get a only hand or foot on a shot, but it would be enough to clear the ball out of the box or out of play. Coronel record his most saves since 2021.
"We created chances in the second half, good chances and the goalie made some really good saves," Crew midfielder Sean Zawadzki said. "But at the end of the day, if we continue to create chances and continue to get chances like that, something's bound to happen."
Columbus Crew unable to reflect defensive improvement on set pieces vs New York Red Bulls
One goal off a corner kick was all Red Bulls needed to win.
The play started with a corner kick from the right side by John Tolkin, but Crew defender Yevhen Cheberko cleared the ball out of the box and over the goal line. Emil Forsberg took the ensuing attempt from the left side.
Forsberg launched a hard kick into the box, and after multiple headers, midfielder Felipe Carballo located the ball to score with just one touch of his right foot at the 25-minute mark.
"Their guy played well from behind the goal and shoot one touch, nice goal," Cheberko said. "I think we can do better because I feel it was a cheap goal for us."
Compared to last season, the Crew have had more defensive success on set pieces, but an error from Ramirez had Columbus falling back into an old weakness.
"We gave up a set piece, and that's what cost us again," Ramirez said. "I lift my hand to the group, I tried to check my line in that split second, let the guy get in front of me, but we don't like to make things easy on ourselves."
One of Columbus Crew's best opportunities could have resulted in a handball violation against New York Red Bulls
On a night filled with missed opportunities, there was one in particular that the Crew felt could have been reviewed.
In the 64th minute, Hernandez was fighting to create space on the right side of New York's box and thought he found an opening when he launched a close-distance shot. The ball hit off defender Dylan Nealis.
Hernandez immediately indicated to the officials that it was a handball and wanted a review on the play. On the sideline, Nancy was seen advocating for the review with the fourth official.
"The referee told me that apparently the VAR said that it touched the body first and then the hand," Nancy said. "So, that's why they didn't call it.”
Game 2 of the series is set for 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: MLS Cup first round: Columbus Crew shut out by Red Bulls in Game 1
