COLUMBUS – After clinching a playoff berth in their 2-0, home victory over D.C. United on Saturday, Columbus Crew SC now looks to #ClaimGlory and overtake the Chicago Fire and Atlanta United FC in the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference standings to earn a home match in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Holders of the Nos. 3-4 seeds will earn the privilege to host the Knockout Round later this month. Columbus (15-12-5, 50 points) currently sits in fifth place. Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has the club’s remaining two regular season matches mapped out.
Up next, Crew SC travels to take on Orlando City SC at Orlando City Stadium on Sunday, October 15 before Crew SC visits current-second place New York City FC.
"We have some challenges in front of us," Berhalter said. "We go to Orlando, in a difficult place to play. We have to test ourselves, we have to see if we can get something out of that game. And then we go to NYC, when in all likelihood, they're going to be playing for something as well. For me, I'm looking forward to it. And I think the guys are as well because we have two very good tests before the playoffs and that's what we're going to need to prepare."
Columbus returns to the postseason for the third time in four seasons under Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter.
Crew SC’s captain, midfielder Wil Trapp, sees the value in playing in front of the Black & Gold faithful at MAPFRE Stadium rather than playing in potentially raucous environments in Chicago and Atlanta.
"Yes, we clinched a playoff spot. But we don't want to be five or six in those spots," Trapp said. "These next two games are still massively important for us. The difference between hosting a home playoff game instead of going to Atlanta or Chicago is a big difference."
With two regular-season contests remaining, Crew SC is assured of finishing no lower than sixth place in the Eastern Conference by virtue of its win against D.C. United at MAPFRE Stadium on September 30. The win against D.C. United was the Black & Gold’s 12th regular-season home victory of 2017, setting a new club record for most regular-season wins at home.
Final postseason seeding will be determined in the coming weeks as the Black & Gold (15-12-5, 50 points) conclude the regular season along with all other MLS clubs.
1. Toronto FC – Supporter’s Shield
(19W-5L-8D, 65 pts., GD +36) | Remaining Matches (2): 10/15 vs. MTL, 10/22 @ ATL
The Reds (19-5-8, 65 points) clinched the Supporter’s Shield and a No. 1 seed during week 30 of MLS play. Toronto defeated the New York Red Bulls by a score of 4-2 on Saturday.
2. New York City FC – qualified
(16W-8L-8D, 53 pts., GD +14) | Remaining Matches (2): 10/15 @ NE, 10/22 vs. CLB
New York City (16-8-8, 56 points) played to a 1-1 draw on Saturday with the Chicago Fire, a fellow playoff qualifier. NYCFC has a 54 percent chance to earn a first-round bye, according to ESPN’s FiveThirtyEight.
3. Atlanta United FC – qualified
(15W-8L-8D, 53 pts., GD +31) | Remaining Matches (3): 10/3 vs. MIN, 10/15 @ NY, 10/22 vs. TOR
Atlanta (15-8-8, 53 points) earned a result over the weekend with their scoreless draw against the New England Revolution. The hard-charging expansion side sits in third place with a 43 percent chance to earn a first-round bye, just three points above Crew SC in the standings.
4. Chicago Fire – qualified
(15W-10L-7D, 52 pts., GD +16) | Remaining Matches (2): 10/15 vs. PHI, 10/22 @ HOU
The Fire (15-10-7, 52 points) have Crew SC to worry about after drawing with New York City on the last day of September. Chicago does have a slim two percent chance at a first-round bye, but their focus is most likely on holding their two-point lead over the Black & Gold.
6. New York Red Bulls
(12W-12L-7D, 43 pts., GD +2) | Remaining Matches (3): 10/7 vs. VAN, 10/15 vs. ATL, 10/22 @ DC
Despite their loss to Toronto, New York (12-12-7, 43 points) has a 95 percent chance to make the playoffs, but still sits within striking distance of the Montreal Impact, the New England Revolution, the Philadelphia Union and Orlando City SC, who all stand at 39 points with two matches remaining.
