The Columbus Crew try to extend their unbeaten streak while host Nashville SC bid to start a new one on Wednesday in an Eastern Conference showdown.
The opponents’ streaks have Miami in common. Nashville (12-5-5, 41 points) had its 15-match unbeaten run in all competitions, including an 8-0-4 stretch in MLS, halted with a 2-1 loss at Miami on Saturday.
Coach BJ Callaghan said with a fourth match in 12 days looming for Nashville, there is no looking back.
“We’re going to work hard each and every day to evaluate our process,” Callaghan said, “and we’ve got a quick turnaround against Columbus.”
The Crew (11-3-8, 41 points) have four wins and a tie since Lionel Messi and friends handed them a 5-1 shellacking on May 31.
The Crew are upbeat after an epic comeback on Saturday, spotting FC Cincinnati two goals in the first five minutes before putting up four unanswered on the home team.
“I think it’s a testament to this group and all the guys on our team and how we’re able to bounce back,” Crew midfielder Max Arfsten said.
Arfsten scored the tying goal in his return from the U.S. men’s national team, and the Crew were further lifted because goalkeeper Patrick Schulte played after missing seven matches due to an oblique injury.
“After the first 15 minutes myself and the team, we just settled into it,” Schulte said Monday. “I think after that, you saw what this team is capable of.”
Schulte’s counterpart, Joe Willis, will be under scrutiny. Callaghan likes the ball played out of the back, but Willis made a horrendous pass straight to Messi that led to the winning goal.
“Joe’s a pro. Mistakes happen, right?” Callaghan said. “For us, this is the way we want to do things. … We’re not going to panic. Joe’s come up big for us.”
Nashville holds the third spot in the conference over the Crew due to more victories, and Nashville defender Daniel Lovitz said his team is on an even keel.
“I don’t think that one win, one loss, 15 unbeaten, dictates where we’ll be at the end of the season,” he said.
–Field Level Media
