Preview: Columbus Crew SC vs. New York Red Bulls | MLS is Back Tournament, Group E

MLSsoccer staff

2020 MLS is Back Tournament – Group E, Matchday 9
Columbus Crew SC vs. New York Red Bulls
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Thurs., July 16 – 10:30 PM ET

TV: FS1, TUDN; TSN in Canada

STREAMING: FOX Sports App, TUDN App in USA; TSN App in Canada

It's a matchup between longtime Eastern Conference foes as Columbus Crew SC take on the New York Red Bulls in a top of the table clash in Group E Thursday night.

Both teams picked up rivalry victories in their MLS is Back Tournament opener, with Crew SC thrashing FC Cincinnati, 4-0, and the Red Bulls defeating Atlanta United.

Lucas Zelarayan picked up where he left off when play was halted in March, scoring the opening goal and assisting on Gyasi Zardes' second, while Youness Mokhtar set up Zardes' first and capped the scoring on the hour mark to put the finishing touches on the most dominant performance of Round 1.

The Red Bulls continued their regular-season dominance of Atlanta United, riding an early Florian Valot goal to a 1-0 win. Valot, who also got off to a hot start to the season, was played in behind on a sensational pass from Kaku. The Red Bulls had several chances to tack onto their lead, but couldn't solve Brad Guzan and David Jensen was forced to make a stunning save at the death to deny Adam Jahn's equalizer.

Each team secured four points from their first two league tilts before the stoppage of play in March. Led by Zelarayan, Crew SC defeated 10-man NYCFC, 1-0, in their season-opener at MAPFRE Stadium and earned a 1-1 road draw against the Seattle Sounders.

The Red Bulls stormed out of the gate to defeat FC Cincinnati at home before drawing Real Salt Lake, 1-1, at Rio Tinto Stadium, a Damir Kreilach stoppage-time equalizer separating them from maximum points.