What seemed improbable two months ago could become reality this weekend if the host Columbus Crew defeat D.C. United on Saturday and get help Sunday to clinch a playoff spot.
The Crew (12-15-5, 41 points) were last among 15 teams in the Eastern Conference on Sept. 1, five points behind Orlando City for the ninth and final postseason berth and 11 points back of sixth-place FC Cincinnati.
But a four-match winning streak as part of six victories in seven matches has the Crew in ninth, two points from Cincinnati and Orlando with two matches left.
The clinching scenario involves beating D.C. United (7-13-12, 33 points) while Toronto FC loses or draws against Atlanta United and the New York Red Bulls lose or draw at Nashville SC. Both matches are on Sunday.
“The belief within the team is incredible right now,” Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte said. “It always is, no matter what the results have been all year. That’s kind of the positive and the results now are just starting to come into form.
“We have two more games left in the regular season and they’re basically two finals. You’ve got to take them one game at a time. You can’t look ahead at the playoff line.”
Schulte has stepped up his game, making seven saves for his seventh shutout of the season for a 2-0 win at FC Dallas on Wednesday.
D.C. United not only was eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday after a 2-1 loss to Toronto but Tai Baribo, who has scored 16 of their 39 goals, will be unavailable due to an injury.
“I know I have to find a starting 11 able to compete with the opponent,” D.C. coach Rene Weiler said. “Often I speak of the opportunities. This is the next opportunity for the young players to get some minutes . … We have to try to play with the best possible team to get a good result and that’s always the goal when we play football.”
The Crew got good news Friday when coach Laurent Courtois said Brais Mendez (five goals, four assists in 13 matches) will be available after missing the past two matches due to an injury.
–Field Level Media
