Red Bulls prepare for dangerous Crew Thursday night

Since the restart of the 2020 MLS season, the New York Red Bulls showed just how dangerous of a side they can be. To see Chris Armas roll out a 4-2-2-2 to change his formation was a work of art.

So the Red Bulls are getting ready to face a new opponent in their group as they take on the Columbus Crew, as they looked dangerous against their Ohio rivals in FC Cincinnati. The truth is that the Crew just destroyed Cincinnati and put a black & goal stamp on their match.

Gyasi Zardes is the most dangerous striker the Crew has to attack against the backline. The performance he gave was amazing and looked very dangerous doing a job. But the young playmaking midfielder the Crew brought over from Argentina Lucas Zelarayan delivered a beautiful free-kick goal. Dutchman Youness Mokhtar had a fantastic shot that tucked inside the back post to put the finishing touches on a four-goal clean sheet night, and the full three points in the bag.

The most important thing for this Red Bulls’ side to do is to stay calm and continue to perform against the Crew the same way they battled Atlanta United. Continue to press and not lose their shape. With a match already under their belt, the Red Bulls should be able to get a little bit stronger and attack better.

Both sides have three points in the standings, but Columbus is ahead by three on goal differential. If the Red Bulls can earn a win and take over the top of the group, then they have accomplished a lot. But a draw will keep both sides at the top two spots.

It will be a tough match this coming Thursday (10:30pm on FS1) at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World resort, but this side is starting to show that their youth is part of the retooling of this side.