The Columbus Crew have the opportunity to put a bow on their late-season surge when they visit the Chicago Fire on Saturday.
The Black and Gold (13-15-5, 44 points) secured their playoff berth Sunday, a day after defeating D.C. United 3-0 for their fifth consecutive league win and seventh in eight matches.
Patrick Schulte recorded his second straight clean sheet and third in four matches.
“Really nothing but praise to this group of what they were able to do again and in a difficult context,” said interim head coach Laurent Courtois.
The eighth-place Crew are guaranteed at least a wild card spot, but they can leapfrog seventh-place FC Cincinnati and/or sixth-place Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference table and ensure a slot in the first round.
To swap places with their in-state rival, Columbus needs to win and Cincinnati cannot win against Supporters’ Shield winner Nashville SC. To climb over Philadelphia, Columbus needs a win along with a Union loss to Toronto FC.
“Obviously, it’s been a long season for us, and we know there’s been some disappointment for the fans,” said Crew midfielder Sean Zawadzki. “So the last month of the season has been really good for us, and they deserve to enjoy.”
Chicago (16-10-7, 55 points) clinched a playoff spot in mid-October and will make back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time since 2008-09. After a 4-2 win over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, the Fire have the opportunity to take a two-match winning streak into the postseason.
But that’s not all. The Fire are guaranteed to face Charlotte in the first round, but they have yet to clinch home-field advantage for their best-of-three series. If Chicago beats Columbus or Charlotte fails to win at Inter Miami, then the Fire clinch fourth place.
“I think that’s a main characteristic of our team,” Fire attacking midfielder Andre Franco said after the Colorado game. “We never give up. We always try to win the game. Don’t matter where we play or who we play. We always play to win.”
Chicago’s Robin Lod and Sam Rogers remain sidelined by lower-body injuries. Columbus’ Brais Mendez (thigh) could return after missing three games.
–Field Level Media
