It looked a lot like last year.
After overwhelming MLS en route to the 2015 Supporters’ Shield, the New York Red Bulls faced a new challenge during the MLS Cup Playoffs: the bunker.
Beginning with D.C. United in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and culminating in a postseason exit at the hands of Columbus Crews SC in the Eastern Finals, RBNY were forced to deal with opponents who ceded possession to New York, clogged the midfield, absorbed pressure and looked to strike on quick counter-attacking movements.
In Leg 1 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Montreal Impact looked to use the same strategy that New York’s playoff opponents used in 2015 and they used to great success in their defeat of D.