Amundsen’s stoppage-time goal helps Crew beat Red Bulls 3-2 in finale

In Harrison, New Jersey, on October 19, 2024, the Columbus Crew achieved a thrilling victory over the New York Red Bulls in their regular season finale. Malte Amundsen scored a decisive goal in the seventh minute of stoppage time, marking his first goal this season. The Crew initially took control of the match with early goals from Aziel Jackson and Yevhen Cheberko, building a 2-0 lead. Jackson's contributions were instrumental, as he not only opened the scoring but also assisted Cheberko's goal shortly after. Despite trailing, the New York Red Bulls made a formidable comeback attempt. Emil Forsberg scored twice, once from open play and then from the penalty spot, leveling the game at 2-2 with just a few minutes remaining. However, Amundsen's late strike ensured that Columbus secured the win. With this victory, Columbus finished the regular season with a record of 19 wins, 6 losses, and 9 draws, earning them the second seed for the MLS Cup Playoffs. They will now face the New York Red Bulls again in a best-of-three first-round playoff series. This match not only showcased the competitive spirit of both teams but also highlighted the importance of timely scoring and team resilience in high-stakes moments. As the playoffs approach, both teams will need to build off their performances for the challenges ahead.