soccer Soccer

Columbus vs. NY Red Bulls MLS Picks: Hosts Face Must-Win Clash on Final Day (Oct 18)

Published Oct 14, 4:36am ET by

Alex Dudley - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer

Last updated Oct 14, 4:36am ET

Pick status
Columbus Crew host the NY Red Bulls in a must-win encounter in the MLS on Oct 18. Find the odds and picks here.

Credit: Shutterstock

Updated Oct 14, 4:36am ET

  • Columbus Crew must win on the final day of the season to stand any chance of finishing in the top seven
  • NY Red Bulls will finish the 2025 season in tenth place in the Eastern Conference

A fascinating final day in the Eastern Conference of the MLS is set for Oct 18.

All eyes will be on Columbus, as the Crew will require a minor miracle to secure a top-seven finish. In order to achieve that feat, they must win on the final day, and hope that all of the Chicago Fire, Orlando City, and Nashville SC lose.

There will be no pressure on the NY Red Bulls on the final day, as their race for a playoff spot ended a few weeks back. They are destined to finish the campaign in tenth.

Columbus Crew vs. NY Red Bulls Overview Watch On: Apple TV

DATE & TIME

Saturday, October 18, 2025 @ 6:00 PM ET
Columbus Crew
Lower.com Field, Columbus
NY Red Bulls
GAME ODDS
BetOnline
Columbus Crew -178
The Draw +313
NY Red Bulls +465

Must-Win Showdown for the Crew

All of the pressure on the final day of the Eastern Conference will be on the sides bidding to break into the top seven.

The Columbus Crew have allowed opportunities to pass them by in their playoff hunt in recent weeks, slipping to painful defeats against NYC and Chicago.

Meanwhile, they have also dropped points against Toronto and Orlando City since mid-September. This weekend, there is no room for error.

Possible Lineup
(3-4-2-1) Schulte (GK); Moreira, Zawadzki, Amundsen; Herrera, Chambost, Nagbe, Arfsten; Gazdag, Picard; Rossi

Red Bulls Playing for Pride

It has been a slightly disappointing end to the 2025 season for the NY Red Bulls. They had been in the playoff hunt just a month ago, but a poor run of results has seen them drop to tenth.

Overall, they have been relatively impressive in 2025, winning 12 of their 33 matches.

However, they come into the final day of the season after losing their previous two matches, and failing to win in five of their last six.

Possible Lineup
(4-4-2) Coronel (GK); Nealis, Parker, Hack, Morales; Gjengaar, Berggren, Donkor, Sofo; Choupo-Moting, Forsberg
Columbus vs. NY Red Bulls Head-to-Head Record
TOTAL Columbus NY Red Bulls DRAWS
MLS Games 66 24 25 17
Goals 174 83 91

Columbus vs. NY Red Bulls Picks

This is a major final-day showdown for the Columbus Crew, and only a home win will keep them in the hunt for an automatic playoff spot.

They look like good value to keep their end of the bargain, as the Red Bulls have been in poor recent form after failing to win in four of their last five matches in the MLS.

Pick
Columbus Crew (-178)
New Player Bonus
50% up to $1000
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