On Sunday evening, Columbus Crew SC has a chance to head back to the Eastern Conference Finals of the MLS Cup playoffs for the second consecutive year after losing 1-0 on aggregate goals to Toronto FC last season. The Black & Gold face the New York Red Bulls in Leg 2 of the conference semifinals.
In the first leg in Columbus last Sunday, Crew SC held the Red Bulls scoreless for the first 45 minutes. At halftime, Gregg Berhalter elected to bring in midfield maestro Federico Higuain, who played 120 minutes three days prior, changing the team’s shape from a 4-4-2 formation back to its typical 4-2-3-1.