Emil Forsberg believes the New York Red Bulls have the capacity to hurt the Columbus Crew in Game 1 of their MLS playoff tie, despite a poor end to the regular season.

The Red Bulls finished seventh in the Eastern Conference despite only winning one of 10 matches after the Leagues Cup break, finishing their campaign with a 3-2 defeat at home to the Crew, in which Forsberg scored.

They will now face the MLS Cup holders again in a three-match first-round series, and Forsberg believes they have shown they can get at Wilfried Nancy's champions.

"I think we were dangerous, we hurt them, we created chances and we showed them and ourselves what we can do when we play with that kind of intensity," Forsberg said.

"We're a really good team when we can do that, and we know we can hurt them. We have a lot to take with us into the playoffs.

"When it comes to the playoffs, it's small details, whether you have your day or not, whether you're mentally prepared for every situation that can occur.

"That's something I'm going to push with the guys."

Nancy, meanwhile, was pleased to see Columbus tested in their final regular-season game, as New York recovered from 2-0 down to level before Malte Andersen hit a last-gasp winner.

"Yeah, we had many highs, and after that, we had 10 minutes where we allowed New York to play their style, and they did it well," Nancy said after the match. 

"I'm happy that it happened, to be honest with you, because we played a really good first half. After that, the second half was also interesting. 

"This is perfect because sometimes we have to feel certain things to get better. We found a way to win the game, and this is also good for team spirit."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Columbus Crew – Cucho Hernandez

Hernandez's assist against the Red Bulls last week was his 32nd goal contribution of 2024 (19 goals, 13 assists), breaking Stern John's Crew record of 31 set in 1998. 

The forward has five goal contributions against New York (two goals, three assists), only totalling more against Atlanta (eight) and Orlando (seven).

New York Red Bulls – Emil Forsberg

Forsberg scored both of the Red Bulls' goals in their 3-2 defeat to the Crew on Decision Day, and only Lewis Morgan (13) has bettered his nine strikes for the team in 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION – COLUMBUS CREW WIN

The Red Bulls won just 18 points from their final 18 regular-season matches of 2024 (three wins, nine draws, six defeats). 

They were one of nine teams to collect 20 points or fewer since that run began in early June, but the only one of those nine sides to make the playoffs.

Having lost 3-2 to the Crew in their last game, they approach this one as major outsiders. The Red Bulls have lost each of their last six away playoff matches dating back to 2018, being outscored 15-5 in those matches. 

The Crew, meanwhile, have won the MLS Cup in each of the last two seasons in which they made the playoffs (2020, 2023), advancing from eight consecutive playoff ties. This equals the best such run in MLS history, after D.C. United won eight straight ties from 1996 to 1998.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Columbus Crew – 64.3%

New York Red Bulls – 16.6%

Draw – 19.1%