New York Red Bulls 2, Columbus Crew SC 3 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

HARRISON, N.J. — Columbus Crew SC put their road doldrums behind them in a big way, scoring three times in the first half en route to a 3-2 victory over the New York Red Bulls Saturday night at Red Bull Arena.

Jonathan Mensah gave Crew SC (10-7-6) an early lead and snapped a 372-minute road shutout streak with a tap-in after Patrick Mullins latched onto a Pedro Santos free kick and headed back in front of goal.

Mullins doubled the advantage in the 24th minute, racing onto a ball played into space by Harrison Afful before slotting low inside the far post for his first Crew SC goal.

Columbus made it 3-0 in the 31st minute when Sean Davis headed a Santos corner kick into his own goal at the near post.

Chris Armas made a double switch at halftime, bringing on Bradley Wright-Phillips and Kaku and the Red Bulls (13-6-2) rallied to cut their deficit to one on a Mensah own goal and Danny Royer’s sixth of the season.

Goals

• 7’ — CLB — Jonathan Mensah | WATCH
• 24’ — CLB — Patrick Mullins | WATCH
• 31’ — CLB — Sean Davis (OG) | WATCH
• 50’ — RBNY — Jonathan Mensah (OG) | WATCH
• 69’ — RBNY — Danny Royer | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: Without a goal in their last five road games (0-4-1), Crew SC exploded for three in the first half for their first road win since May 19 at New England. It was also the first time they scored three away goals since May 31, 2017. It was certainly a bad look for the Red Bulls secondary formation, with the high line of central defenders getting exploited big time in the opening 45 minutes.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Jonathan Mensah set the tone with his first goal of the second in the 7th minute.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Mullins, take a bow. In his first start, and second appearance, since arriving from D.C. United in a trade, Mullins scored his first goal since Sept. 27, which was also against the Red Bulls.

Next Up

• RBNY: Sunday, August 5 vs. LAFC (6 pm ET | FS1 - Full TV & Streaming info)
• CLB: Saturday, August 11 vs. Houston Dynamo (7:30 pm ET | TV & Streaming info)