Crunch time has arrived in MLS with two of the hottest teams pushing for every point for differing reasons when Columbus visits FC Dallas on Wednesday.
While Dallas (15-7-9, 54 points) has secured a playoff spot, it trails first-place Vancouver by one point with three matches left and is eyeing home-field advantage throughout the Western Conference postseason on the strength of a 6-1-3 mark in the past 10 matches.
Meanwhile, the Crew (11-15-5, 38 points) have won three straight and five of six but still reside a point behind the New York Red Bulls for the final Eastern Conference spot, also with three matches to go.
“It’s going to be a tough away trip at Dallas against really a physical team and then back home against D.C. (United on Saturday),” Crew coach Laurent Courtois said. “Recovery, recovery, recovery — that’s all that matters.”
FC Dallas has built momentum behind the play of Petar Musa, who scored twice in a 3-0 win over San Jose on Saturday to give him 22, three fewer than MLS leader Lionel Messi.
Musa’s total is a Dallas season record.
“My teammates help me and try to find me with the ball every game, and I’m grateful for that,” he said.
The three goals vs. San Jose allowed Dallas to set its season record with 58 while extending the home unbeaten streak to five wins and a tie.
“They’re doing well in the West, but we have to focus on one game at a time,” Crew defender Malte Amundsen said. “We can’t focus on the playoffs right now. Yes, we want to get in but you have to focus on the process, not the outcome, and that’s what we’re doing.”
Amundsen scored twice on Saturday in a 4-2 win over Toronto FC. It was significant because playmaker Brais Mendez did not play because of muscle tightness. Mendez did not practice Tuesday and his availability is in question.
No matter who plays for the Crew, FC Dallas are an imposing challenge. They were scoreless with the Earthquakes before Musa snatched the victory with goals in the 83rd and 88th minutes followed by a Santiago Moreno score in stoppage time.
“What I love about this group is its resilience,” Dallas coach Eric Quill said. “The guys found their moment and delivered when it mattered most.
–Field Level Media
