An 87th-minute goal from Sean Nealis secured all three points for the visiting New York Red Bulls in a 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field Saturday evening.
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In an Eastern Conference clash between two playoff hopefuls looking on from the outside, Nealis stepped up late in the match. With the three points, the Red Bulls, at least temporarily, moved above the playoff line while the Crew now sits five points behind the Red Bulls.
Nealis ripped a shot from the center of the box into the pack of the net after Patryk Klimala headed the ball his way. It was Nealis's second-ever goal for the club and his first since the 2019 season.
The Red Bulls opened up the scoring early, with Cristian Casseres Jr finding the back of the net off of a corner kick in the 7th minute. It's his second goal in as many games, with the Venezuelan International opening up the scoring inside the first 10 minutes in back-to-back games for his side.
The Crew clapped back quickly, finding an equalizing goal through Spanish forward Miguel Berry in the 18th minute, who was starting in place of injured U.S. International Gyasi Zardes. It was Berry's sixth goal of the 2021 campaign.
In the 50th minute, Wikelman Carmona was brought down in the box by Marlon Hairston and after a Video Review, the call on the field stood and the Red Bulls were given a chance to go up early in the second half. Klimala stepped up to the spot with a stutter-step run-up, but his shot went wide left -- much to the relief of Eloy Room who dove right.
Klimala redeemed himself late though after his stellar headed-assist led to the game-winner from Nealis after a bleak second-half from each side.
Up next, the Crew returns home on Wednesday, October 27 to face Orlando City SC at 7:30 p.m. ET. | TICKETS AVAILABLE
