The Columbus Crew downed the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in MLS Reserve League play on Saturday evening. Aaron Schoenfeld and Justin Meram tallied for the Crew, assisted by Nemanja Vukovic on both goals, while Tyler Ruthven scored a late goal for New York, to deny the Crew a shutout. Columbus played the last 13 minutes up a man after the ejection of Red Bulls midfielder Victor Palsson.
Both teams started the match strong pressing for goal. A 10th minute shot by Palsson, after a run down the right side was saved by Crew goalkeeper Matt Lampson. Columbus responded two minutes later with Vukovic crossing a ball to Ethan Finlay but the midfielder’s shot went wide.
In the 21st minute New York’s Jose Angulo saw his bicycle kick go barely above the crossbar while Meram took a blasting shot from the top of the box only to see Red Bulls keeper Jeremy Vuolo save it.
In the 39th minute Crew midfielder Tony Tchani sprung Meram up the flank; the Black & Gold forward crossed the ball towards Finlay who failed to connect after slipping in the box. The half ended scoreless but not before a one-handed diving save by Lampson on a shot by New York’s Johnny Arteaga right before the whistle.
The second half began with the same intensity, in the 55th minute Crew defender Josh Williams deflected a shot by Corey Hertzog into corner and in the 60th Schoenfeld picked up a ball with his back to goal, turned and took a shot only to see it hit the far post.
In the 63rd minute Meram made a run up the left side and took a shot that went narrowly wide. New York responded a minute later with a blast by Arteaga that went to the left of the goal.
The opening tally came in the 70th minute with Schoenfeld heading home a free kick from Vukovic to give the home team the 1-0 lead. New York tried to mount a comeback for an equalizer two minutes later but Hertzog’s shot sailed high.
In the 77th Palsson saw red after a hard tackle on Kevan George giving the Crew the one-man advantage.
Columbus doubled up in the 87th minute after Vukovic played a through ball to Meram who blasted a rocket past Vuolo for the 2-0 lead.
Then, in the waning moments of the match Angulo crossed a ball to Ruthven who shot it past Lampson for the 2-1 final score.
The Crew is now 2-1-0 with six points in Reserve League Eastern Division play and returns to the field on Saturday, April 14 as it takes on the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. right after the first team’s match. New York now drops to 1-1-0 with three points and will face DC United on Monday, April 23, at 11 a.m. at the DC United training field in Washington, D.C.
MLS Reserve League: Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls
Saturday, April 7, 2012 – Crew Stadium
Scoring Summary:
CLB – Aaron Schoenfeld (Nemanja Vukovic) 70
CLB – Justin Meram (Nemanja Vukovic) 87
NY – Tyler Ruthven (Jose Angulo) 90
Misconduct:
CLB – Tony Tchani (Caution) 40
NY – Jonathan Borrajo (Caution) 48
CLB – Kevan George (Caution) 52
NY – Connor Lade (Caution) 69
NY – Victor Palsson (Ejection) 77
Lineups:
Columbus Crew – Matt Lampson, Aubrey Perry, Korey Veeder, Josh Williams, Nemanja Vukovic, Ethan Finlay (Rhodes Moore^, 46), Cole Grossman, Tony Tchani (Alex Crognale^, 81), Dilly Duka (Kevan George, 25), Justin Meram (Ben Swanson, 89’), Aaron Schoenfeld (Brett Elder^, 76).
Substitutes not used: Carter Richardson^.
^- Columbus Crew Academy Players
New York Red Bulls – Jeremy Vuolo, Connor Lade, Tyler Ruthven, Michael Mazzullo, Jonathan Borrajo, Joel Lindpere (Corey Hertzog, 37), Ryan Maduro (Giorgi Chirgadze, 76), Victor Palsson, Brandon Barklage, Jose Angulo, Johnny Arteaga
Substitutes Not Used: Mael Corboz, Scott Thomsen
*- New York Guest Players
