Columbus Crew is looking for a crucial victory on the final day of the MLS regular season. They aim to avoid a play-in game by moving up in the Eastern Conference standings. With the season culminating on October 18, the Crew faces the New York Red Bulls at Lower.com Field.
MLS Decision Day Scenarios for Columbus Crew
To secure a spot directly in the playoffs, Columbus Crew needs to win against the Red Bulls. As it stands, they are in ninth place with 51 points and must improve to seventh place to bypass the play-in game. This requires not only their victory but also specific outcomes from other matches.
Key Outcomes Needed
For Columbus Crew to reach seventh place, they need:
- Orlando City SC to lose to Toronto FC.
- Chicago Fire to draw or lose against the New England Revolution.
If Orlando City and Chicago Fire both secure wins, the Crew will have to participate in an away play-in game on October 22.
Potential Play-in Matchup and First Round Possibilities
Should the Crew finish as the eighth seed, they will host the play-in game at Lower.com Field. Depending on their seed, they could face various teams:
- If the Crew finish as the seventh seed, potential opponents include Inter Miami or FC Cincinnati.
- If they remain ninth, possible opponents are Orlando City, Chicago, or Nashville SC.
Notably, Nashville can only drop into the play-in game if they lose, while both Chicago and Orlando secure victories.
Eastern Conference Standings Overview
Here are the current playoff standings in the Eastern Conference:
| Team | Record | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Union | 20-7-6 | 66 |
| FC Cincinnati | 19-9-5 | 62 |
| Inter Miami | 18-7-8 | 62 |
| Charlotte FC | 18-13-2 | 56 |
| New York City FC | 17-11-5 | 56 |
| Nashville SC | 16-11-6 | 54 |
| Orlando City SC | 14-8-11 | 53 |
| Chicago Fire | 15-11-7 | 52 |
| Columbus Crew | 13-8-12 | 51 |
The match against the Red Bulls begins at 6 p.m. on October 18. The Crew is keen to capitalize on this opportunity to secure a better playoff positioning.
Understanding the Playoff Tiebreakers
In the event of a tie in standings, the first tiebreaker for MLS playoff seeds is total wins. Columbus Crew needs to consider this as they look ahead to the playoffs.
