August 31, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew ahead Diego Rossi (10) passes the ball in the course of the first half in opposition to New York Metropolis FC at Decrease.com Stadium. Samantha Madar-Columbus Categorical The Seattle Sounders and Columbus Crew have not met in additional than three years, however they are going to play in Ohio’s capital on Saturday night time.
The Crew (14 wins, 4 attracts, 7 losses, 49 factors) is third within the MLS East and solely wants one win to safe a playoff spot.
Columbus has gained seven consecutive video games in all competitions, together with defeating Los Angeles FC 3-1 to win the League Cup. The Crew beat host Philadelphia 1-0 and visiting New York Metropolis 4-2 of their return to the league, with the latter scoring twice in second-half stoppage time final weekend. Diego Rossi had a purpose and an help.
“It is one other solution to win. I am very happy with it,” Crew coach Wilfrid Nancy stated. “That is what I instructed my gamers, I stated, ‘Yeah, I am a bit annoyed as a result of we did not management the sport the way in which we needed to, however we discovered a solution to rating targets.'”
Rossi scored 10 targets and offered a career-high 11 assists, changing into the fifth participant in workforce historical past to achieve double figures in each statistics in a single season.
The Sounders (11 wins, 9 attracts, 7 losses, 40 factors) rank eighth within the Western Convention and at present qualify for the playoffs. They misplaced 1-0 in Portland final weekend, with goalkeeper Stefan Frey having to go away the sport within the eighth minute with a head and knee harm. Coach Brian Schmetzer stated Frey remains to be receiving remedy for a concussion and can miss Saturday’s recreation.
“We have been all indignant that we simply misplaced to Portland, however numerous the speak within the locker room was optimistic,” Sounders midfielder Josh Atencio stated. “Or making an attempt to remain optimistic. These guys, particularly the leaders of the workforce, have a look at everyone and say, ‘(expletive) simply occurred like this.’ We now have to maneuver ahead, particularly on the finish of the season.
The Sounders additionally misplaced 1-0 to Los Angeles FC within the US Open semifinals, leaving them and not using a level of their previous two video games.
“On the street, you must benefit from the few alternatives you’ve got,” Schmetzer stated.
–Scene-level media
