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Decision Day Drama: What's at stake for Columbus on Saturday

With a playoff berth already locked up, what are the possible consequences of the game on Saturday against the Red Bulls?
ByChristopher Berg|
Oct 29, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy wags his finger at the sideline official during the second half of the MLS Cup Playoffs first round game against the New York Red Bulls at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Oct. 29. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Oct 29, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy wags his finger at the sideline official during the second half of the MLS Cup Playoffs first round game against the New York Red Bulls at Lower.com Field in Columbus on Oct. 29. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images | Adam Cairns/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

It's been a wild ride this season for the Crew. Despite the fact it's been over a month since their last win they've found themselves guaranteed at least a wild card game. However, there's more that can be achieved with a little bit of help/luck with other results. On the whole the expectations coming into the season were limited with important departures happening before the season kicked off with no real contingency plan in place. Coach Nancy has still guided this team into the playoffs which of late looked like an uphill battle. Congratulations goes to the Crew for extending their playoff streak now to three straight seasons. As of right now they are locked into the last spot in the playoffs sitting in 9th in the East and would travel to Chicago for a single elimination wild card game for the right to make the first round of the playoffs which would be a best of three series format. With a win on Saturday the Crew could bypass the wild card round and leap directly into the best of three series. Let's take a deeper dive into what that looks like.

Other games that have influence

Nashville SC (6th) vs. Inter Miami (3rd)

New England (11th) vs. Chicago Fire (8th)

Toronto FC (12th) vs. Orlando City (7th)

As it stands

- If Columbus loses at home on Saturday they are locked into the last wildcard spot and would travel to either Chicago, Orlando City or Nashville depending on results from those games.

With a draw

- A draw on Saturday would result in Columbus staying locked into the last spot and traveling either to Chicago or Orlando City depending on their results (even if Chicago loses they have more wins than the Crew which is the first tiebreaker).

A win with both Chicago and Orlando City loss

- Columbus could potentially jump up to 7th place in the East (avoiding the wild card game) IF both Chicago and Orlando City lose their games. This would be the only chance for the Crew to avoid the wild card game.

A win and Chicago loss

- With a win and a Chicago loss the Crew would leap frog them in the standings thus giving Columbus the benefit of hosting the wild card game.

Summary

All in all a win is the only way for Columbus to guarantee themselves a chance at hosting a playoff game. Even that would require the help of two teams already eliminated from playoff contention, but crazier things have happened. Taking care of business at home against a New York Red Bulls team that is 2-10-4 on the road on the season is a must, if nothing else just to build some momentum going into their playoff matchup. Chicago has actually been worse at home (6-5-6) than they have been on the road (9-6-1) this season, so traveling to Soldier field for a wild card game wouldn't be the worst thing. Looks like Abou Ali is still out with an ankle injury and Diego Rossi remains questionable with a hamstring injury. Saturday's game gives Columbus a chance to find form as they enter the playoffs and try to extend their season and give Darlington Nagbe one more run at the cup.

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