Columbus Crew SC will travel to face No. 2 seed, New York City FC for a special Decision Day, presented by AT&T, 4 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday. NYCFC recently announced the season finale against the Black & Gold would be moved from Yankee Stadium to the New York Mets’ Citi Field in Queens due to the New York Yankees advancing to the American League Championship Series in the MLB Playoffs.
Both Eastern Conference teams have already clinched their spot in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, but both will be fighting for the highest seed possible, with Crew SC having the potential to finish as high as the No. 2 spot. A win Sunday against NYCFC accompanied by an Atlanta FC loss or tie to Toronto FC and a Chicago loss or tie to the Houston Dynamo could see the Black & Gold having a Knockout Round bye and home field advantage in the Eastern Conference with a win.
All in all, if Columbus wins, it will host an MLS Cup Playoff match at MAPFRE Stadium. Crew SC cannot finish any lower than fifth in the Eastern Conference.
The Black & Gold return to the postseason for the third time in four seasons under Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter.SCENARIOS
Columbus Crew SC
Columbus Crew SC will clinch the No. 2 seed, a Knockout Round bye and home field advantage in the Eastern Conference if:
- Crew SC defeats New York City FC on October 22
and ...
- Atlanta United tie or lose vs. Toronto FC on October 22
and ...
- Chicago Fire tie or lose vs. the Houston Dynamo on October 22
Columbus Crew SC will clinch the No. 3 seed and home field advantage in the Knockout Round vs. the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference if:
- Crew SC defeats New York City FC on October 22
and ...
- Atlanta United win vs. Toronto FC on October 22
and ...
- Chicago Fire tie or lose vs. the Houston Dynamo on October 22
— OR—
- Chicago Fire win vs. the Houston Dynamo on October 22
and ...
- Atlanta United lose or tie vs. Toronto FC on October 22
Columbus Crew SC will clinch the No. 4 seed and home field advantage in the Knockout Round vs. the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference if:
- Crew SC ties New York City FC on October 22
and ...
- Atlanta United lose vs. Toronto FC on October 22
Columbus Crew SC will clinch the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference if:
- Crew SC loses New York City FC on October 22
In their first meeting of the 2017 regular season, the Eastern Conference heavy hitters exchanged blows at MAPFRE Stadium on April 29, in what ultimately ended in a 3-2 loss for the Black & Gold. A Jack Harrison brace and a Yangel Herrera equalizer (64’) were enough to lift NYCFC over Columbus. Ola Kamara notched his fifth goal of the season in the 49th minute of action following Federico Higuain’s 29th minute goal. NYCFC also managed to secure all three points without the help of David Villa and Andrea Pirlo.
Decision Day kicks off from Citi Field as Crew SC visits NYCFC in the regular-season finale at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
