Crew Coverage pres. by Medical Mutual | Rydström: ‘Disappointment’ following loss at NYCFC

The Columbus Crew lost, 3-0, to New York City FC on Sunday night at Yankee Stadium, as the visitors conceded two early goals and couldn’t recover. 

Following the result, head coach Henrik Rydström said the match resembled the club’s early season performances – not what Black & Gold supporters have become accustomed to in recent weeks. 

“For me it looked a little bit like in the beginning of the season,” Rydström said. “The last six games, we have been good to erase those kind of behaviors. The behaviors from the first part of the season repeated [themselves] this game.” 

NYCFC’s Hannes Wolf scored two goals in a four-minute span, which put Columbus in an early hole. There were strong efforts to climb out – particularly to start the second half – but conditions worsened when Wolf earned his hat-trick in the 67th minute. 

“The good thing is that… If it's good, second half, we gave it a try,” Rydström said. “We were close to scoring the first goal in the second half, but we didn't do it. For me, it's more again the players, the organization and the coaches, we understand the hard work we need to put in every day to change where we are right now, and we will. This was a disappointment for sure.” 

There’s little time to dwell on the loss, though. 

The Black & Gold will return to the New York area on Wednesday night when they face Red Bull New York in a midweek matchup in Harrison, New Jersey. Club captain Sean Zawadzki said the short turnaround provides the opportunity for a quick reset.

“I think every time you lose a game in this league, it’s tough,” Zawadzki said. “You prepare for it, and you think you got a good plan going into it, and then you’re not good enough on the day sometimes. It’s really frustrating when that happens, and it's now, how can we put this one behind us? 

“We’ll sit there tomorrow, watch the game back and see what we can improve, and then put it past us and look forward to Wednesday, because now it's another tough test on Wednesday in New Jersey against the Red Bulls. So how can we learn from this one, but also now look forward to Wednesday and prepare for that one, just in any way we can to prepare mentally and go into it and make it difficult for them.”

The Crew beat Red Bull New York, 3-1, when the clubs last met on Decision Day last season – Oct. 18 in the Ohio capital. The sides played to a scoreless draw in the last fixture at Red Bull Arena. 

Don’t forget: The Black & Gold will host NYCFC in the 2026 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals next Wednesday at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Come watch the Cup run.