Columbus opened the scoring in the first minute and never looked back.
Columbus Crew SC claimed a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Eastern Conference finals first leg Sunday, after scoring a goal on either side of halftime.
The Crew jumped into the lead just nine seconds in, as a high ball lobbed into the Red Bulls' half from the opening kickoff eventually found Justin Meram inside the box for the Iraqi international to side-foot under a stunned Luis Robles.
Meram's strike was eventually confirmed as the fastest goal to open a game in MLS playoff history, and it set the tone for a wide-open first 15 minutes as both sides traded attacks with seemingly reckless abandon.