Columbus Crew Sc Clb vs Seattle Sounders Fc Sea Picks and Predictions September 7th 2024

The Columbus Crew are on fire as they get ready to face the Seattle Sounders this Saturday in what could be a season-defining Major League Soccer (MLS) matchup. The Crew (14-4-7, 49 points), currently third in the Eastern Conference, can secure a playoff spot with a win. Meanwhile, the Sounders (11-9-7, 40 points) are battling to hold onto a play-in spot in the Western Conference while dealing with injuries and inconsistent performances.

Columbus Crew’s Winning Streak and Playoff Push

The Columbus Crew are one of the hottest teams in the league, riding a seven-game winning streak across all competitions. Their recent form has been impressive, with victories over strong teams like Philadelphia and New York City FC, plus a 3-1 win over LAFC to claim the Leagues Cup. The Crew’s attack has been relentless, often pulling out late goals to secure victories, like their two stoppage-time goals in last weekend’s 4-2 win over NYCFC.

Head coach Wilfried Nancy has praised his team’s resilience and ability to score even when they don’t dominate possession. “I was frustrated a bit by not controlling the game as we wanted to, but we found ways to score goals,” Nancy said.

One standout for the Crew has been forward Diego Rossi, who has been a dual threat with 10 goals and 11 assists this season. Rossi recently became only the fifth player in Columbus Crew history to hit double digits in both goals and assists in a single season, adding to the team’s already potent attack.

Seattle Sounders Struggling to Find Consistency

The Seattle Sounders, currently sitting eighth in the Western Conference, have hit a rough patch at a critical time. They’ve been held scoreless in their last two matches, including a 1-0 loss to rivals Portland Timbers and a 1-0 defeat to LAFC in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. To make matters worse, veteran goalkeeper Stefan Frei suffered a concussion against Portland and will miss Saturday’s game, leaving a huge gap in their lineup.

Despite the setbacks, Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer remains positive and focused on moving forward. “We have to move forward, especially this late in the season,” Schmetzer said. Midfielder Josh Atencio echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the need to bounce back quickly after tough losses.

Seattle will need to find more scoring opportunities if they want to end their scoring drought and keep their playoff chances alive. “On the road, you’ve got to just make the most out of the few chances you’re going to get,” Schmetzer emphasized.

Key Matchups to Watch

Diego Rossi vs. Sounders Defense: Rossi has been in top form for the Crew, and his ability to score and create chances makes him a huge threat. Seattle’s defense must find a way to contain him if they want to stay in the game.

Sounders Offense vs. Columbus Defense: With Seattle struggling to score and without their starting goalkeeper, their offense needs to step up. Can the Sounders break their scoreless streak and put some pressure on Columbus?

Columbus’ Home Advantage: The Crew have been unstoppable at home, and with their current winning streak, they’ll be tough to beat. Can Seattle handle the pressure in Columbus, especially with so much on the line?

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What’s at Stake?

For the Columbus Crew, a victory would not only extend their impressive winning streak but also clinch a playoff spot, cementing their place as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. With only seven games left in the regular season, locking in their playoff position now would allow them to fine-tune their performance ahead of the postseason.

For the Seattle Sounders, the stakes couldn’t be higher. They desperately need to bounce back from recent defeats and hold on to their place in the Western Conference playoff race. Dropping points now could severely damage their postseason chances, especially as other teams in the West start gaining ground.

With both teams fighting for crucial points, this game promises to be an intense and high-stakes battle as the MLS playoff race heats up.