Sunday’s game between the Columbus Crew and the New York Red Bulls was an absolute battle. Columbus manager Gregg Berhalter and RBNY manager Chris Armas presented one of the most intriguing tactical showdowns of the MLS Cup playoffs, with Berhalter’s Crew finishing the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinal up 1-0, keeping the Red Bulls’ high powered transition attack off the scoreboard and without a critical away goal.



Armas stuck with the Red Bulls’ classic 4-2-3-1 for this game, while Berhalter shifted away from the Crew’s 4-2-3-1, opting for a 4-4-2 instead. Coming off a grueling knockout victory against D.C. United on penalties, this formation change shifted Federico Higuain to the bench and allowed him to rest until Columbus needed an offensive boost. Though the Crew came away with a win, the first half was even between the two teams.



Without Higuain to help build play, Columbus struggled against the Red Bulls’ press.