As Columbus Crew SC continues to control its playoff destiny, the Black & Gold head into Orlando with a number of positive supporting trends.
Since 2016, Crew SC is unbeaten in regular-season play against the Lions with a record of 4-0-2, outscoring Orlando 13-5 in that span. Columbus’ last defeat against the Lions came during a road contest at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on August 1, 2015.
With Orlando mathematically eliminated from the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, Crew SC’s opportunity to seal a postseason berth comes at the hands of, statistically speaking, our weakest opponent remaining on schedule. Here’s a closer quick look at what the match-up entails:
Orlando City SC:
Current record: 7-21-4 (25 pts.)
Eastern Conference standing: 11th
Most recent match: 2-1 loss vs. Seattle Sounders (Oct. 17)
Previous match vs. Columbus: 1-0 loss at MAPFRE Stadium (May 9, 2018)
All-time vs. Columbus: 1-5-3
Last 5 matches: LDLLL
Home record: 5-7-4
Player to watch: Dom Dwyer (13 goals)
Numbers to Know:
1: The number of wins for Orlando City in its last 15 matches. The Lions’ last victory came on July 14 (2-1 win vs. Toronto FC), while this Sunday’s match vs. Crew SC marks the second time this season Orlando will have played a mid-week tilt before facing Columbus. The Black & Gold defeated Orlando, 3-2, on July 21.
72: The number of goals conceded by Orlando this season, an MLS record. Notably, 29 have come at Orlando City Stadium, the third-worst mark in the League.
300: Should Crew SC win at Orlando, the victory would mark Columbus’ 300th all-time regular-season victory dating back to the inaugural 1996 MLS season. Columbus would join the LA Galaxy (327 wins), FC Dallas (305 wins) and the New York Red Bulls (300) as one of only four clubs in MLS history to have won 300 or more regular- season matches.
