CREW IN THE POSTSEASON
The Crew is appearing in its first MLS Cup Playoff series since 2011 ... last Saturday, the Black & Gold hosted their first home postseason match since 2010 ... all-time, the Crew is 15-17-4 in the postseason, with a record of 9-6-1 at home and 5-11-3 away from Columbus.
AWAY GOALS COUNT ...
For the first time in League history, MLS will use the away goals rule as the first tiebreaker in deciding two-legged aggregate series ... the competition format is at follows: the four Conference Semifinals will be decided by two-game aggregate series, with the lower seed hosting the first leg and the higher seed hosting the second leg ... if the aggregate score is tied after 180 minutes of play, the away goals rule will apply so as to be consistent with CONCACAF and FIFA practice ... if the series remains tied, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety, followed by penalty kicks, if necessary ... the away goals tiebreaker will not apply to overtime in the second leg of any two-legged playoff series.
... SO THREE IS THE TARGET
Due to the away goals rule, the Crew enters Sunday’s match needing the following to advance to the Eastern Conference Championship: a victory by at least three goals, or a two-goal victory in which the Crew scores at least five goals ... a 4-2 win for the Black & Gold would send the series to extra time.
