Two second-half goals in the span of three minutes helped propel the New York Red Bulls to a 3-0 win over Columbus Crew SC in Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, as the Black & Gold's Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs run comes to an end after falling 3-1 on aggregate.
The 2018 Supporters' Shield winners advance to the Eastern Conference Championship against Atlanta United FC.
Clinical finishing favored the home side, with New York totaling three goals on four shots on target. Comparably, Crew SC totaled four shots on frame on 12 total shots.
The Red Bulls' Alex Muyl tallied the game-winner in the 17' minute to level the aggregate score at 1-1. Following more than 50 minutes of level play, Daniel Royer scored twice in a three-minute span to secure the 3-0 shutout.
This season marked the third time Columbus appeared in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the last four years. Through the regular season and the MLS Cup Playoffs, Crew SC held a 2-1-1 record against the Red Bulls.
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POST-MATCH NOTES
- Tonightās Audi 2018 MLS Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals road match against the New York Red Bulls marked Crew SC 50th all-time MLS Playoff match. Since the inaugural 1996 MLS season, Crew SC has posted a postseason record of 19-24-7.
- Midfielder Artur made seven tackles in tonightās Audi 2018 MLS Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals road match against the New York Red Bulls, leading both teams. In addition, the Brazilian midfielder made 64 touches, recorded 46 passes at an 80.4 percent success rate and create one goal-scoring chance. In 2018, Artur made 32 regular-season appearances (all starts), providing two assists. Since making his MLS debut in 2017, Artur has made 56 regular-season appearances (51 starts) and provided five assists.
- Cristian Martinez made his first MLS playoff appearance in tonightās Audi 2018 MLS Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals road match against the New York Red Bulls., coming on as a substitute for Pedro Santos in the 82nd minute. In the 2018 MLS regular season, the Panamanian made 14 appearances (11 starts) and provided two assists. Since joining Crew SC in 2016, Martinez has made 27 regular-season appearances (14 starts), scoring one goal and two assists.
- Jonathan Mensah made 87 touches and attempted 69 passes in tonightās Audi 2018 MLS Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals road match against the New York Red Bulls, leading both teams in both categories. In addition, Mensah also took one shot and completed one tackle. In 2018, the Ghanaian defender made 27 regular-season appearances (26 starts) and scored one goal. Since joining Crew SC in 2017, Mensah has made 53 regular-season appearances (51 starts), scoring three goals and providing one assist.
