Columbus Crew ahead Diego Rossi (10) passes the ball through the first half in opposition to New York Metropolis FC at Decrease.com Area.
Samantha Madar-The Columbus Dispatch
The Seattle Sounders and Columbus Crew have not met for greater than three years, however they’re going to achieve this Saturday night time in Ohio’s capital metropolis.
The Crew (14-4-7, 49 factors), who sit in third place in Main League Soccer’s Jap Convention, can clinch a playoff berth with a victory.
Columbus has gained seven straight matches in all competitions, together with defeating Los Angeles FC 3-1 for the championship of the Leagues Cup. The Crew have defeated host Philadelphia 1-0 and visiting New York Metropolis FC 4-2 of their return to league play, scoring twice in second-half stoppage time within the latter final weekend. Diego Rossi had a aim and an help.
“That is one other approach to win. I am actually pleased with that,” Crew coach Wilfried Nancy mentioned. “That is what I advised my gamers, I mentioned, ‘Sure, I used to be annoyed a bit by the truth that we did not management the sport the way in which we needed to do it, however we discovered methods to attain objectives.'”
Rossi has 10 objectives and a career-best 11 assists, turning into the fifth participant in franchise historical past to achieve double-digits in each classes in a season.
The Sounders (11-9-7, 40 factors) are eighth within the Western Convention, at present in a play-in spot for the postseason. They’re coming off a 1-0 loss final weekend in Portland by which goalkeeper Stefan Frei needed to depart within the eighth minute after getting kneed within the head. Coach Brian Schmetzer mentioned Frei stays within the concussion protocol and can be unavailable Saturday.
“We’re all mad we simply misplaced to Portland, however a number of the rhetoric (within the locker room) is constructive,” Sounders midfielder Josh Atencio mentioned. “Or attempting to be constructive. The blokes, particularly the leaders of the staff, checked out all people and mentioned, ‘(Expletive) like this occurs.’ Now we have to maneuver ahead, particularly this late within the season.”
The Sounders additionally misplaced 1-0 to LAFC within the U.S. Open Cup semifinals, leaving them scoreless of their previous two matches.
“On the highway, you have to simply take advantage of out of the few possibilities that you’ll get,” Schmetzer mentioned.
–Area Degree Media