📝NY Red Bulls 3-0 Columbus Crew: Daniel Royer made the difference | OneFootball

Columbus Crew (1) – New York Red Bulls (3)

Neutral spectators undoubtedly enjoyed the breakneck pace from the first minute at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls attacked in waves and thwarted the Crew’s attempts to play out of the back by clogging midfield passing lanes.

Despite heavy pressure in the middle of the pitch, New York failed to find Bradley Wright-Phillips with aerial service past towering centre back Jonathan Mensah.

Standing over the set piece, Sean Davis called the play like an American football quarter-back. Daniel Royer nodded the free kick back into the mixer from the far post and centre back Aaron Long beat Zack Steffen with his first-time shot.

Replays showed a slight deflection off the foot of Alex Muyl and the goal was credited to the young winger with Long on the assist in the 17th minute.

At the start of the second half, Columbus looked the more likely team to score but could not beat Luis Robles.

In the 73rd minute, Daniel Royer scored the first of his quick-fire double at the end of a great team move and a superb assist from Tyler Adams.

Royer’s second required more setup work from the Austrian after Alejandro “Kaku” Romero fed him the ball in the 76th minute.

In addition to breaking New York’s two-legged series duck when trailing after the first match, Kaku registered his first assist in MLS since July 28.

Even though Wright-Phillips did not find the net in either match against Columbus, a strong defensive performance and organized pressing from the midfielders translated into success for the home side.

The Red Bulls will now face their regular season rivals for the Supporters’ Shield, Atlanta United, over two legs in the Eastern Conference Finals after the international break.

New York City FC (1) – Atlanta United FC (4)

New York City found themselves in a hole after the first leg last weekend at Yankee Stadium. Eric Remedi’s goal in New York put pressure on Domènec Torrent’s team to get a result in Atlanta.

2018 MLS Golden Boot Winner, Josef Martínez, opened the scoring in the 25th minute from the penalty spot after Ismael Tajouri-Shradi fouled Franco Escobar in the box.

Miguel Almirón looked to have settled the match in the first half when he curled a free kick past goalkeeper Sean Johnson in the 42nd minute.

Though his game started with a booking just six minutes in, centre back Maxime Chanot headed past Brad Guzan just before half-time.

The visitors pushed hard in the second half but were unable to draw level on the night. Martínez sealed Atlanta’s victory with an 83rd minute strike after Remedi hit a well-timed scoop pass.

The 4-1 aggregate score-line reflects Atlanta’s dominance in the middle of the field. Maxi Moralez was marked out of both games in the series while the Five Stripes attacked at-will.

Real Salt Lake (3) – Sporting Kansas City (5)

Real Salt Lake knew they needed to score from the opening whistle after Sporting Kansas City grabbed an important away goal in the first leg in Utah last weekend.

Their task went from difficult to nearly impossible early in the match at Children’s Mercy Park.

Diego Rubio scored in the 14th minute and Dániel Sallói doubled the lead five minutes later.

The away team battled to stay in the match when it appeared destined for a rout. After some half-time alterations by manager Mike Petke, RSL hit back in the 60th minute.

Sebastián Saucedo scored the first goal for the visitors on service from Joao Plata.

Sporting KC restored a two-goal margin from the penalty spot before Damir Kreilach headed home a corner kick for RSL’s second of the night in the 72nd minute.

After clawing back to within a goal, the visitors pressed higher. Despite frantic defending, SKC held on and Sallói added a cherry on top deep in second-half stoppage time.

Sporting will now advance to the Western Conference Finals against Portland Timbers, who defeated Seattle Sounders in penalties on Thursday.