Columbus Crew Sc vs Philadelphia Union Picks and Predictions October 5th 2024

Union aim to remain in playoff chase vs. Crew

The Philadelphia Union will head to Columbus Crew’s home turf on Saturday with high stakes in their sights. For both teams, the match holds substantial implications, albeit for different reasons. While Philadelphia scrambles to keep their playoff hopes alive, Columbus is chasing a high seed in the playoffs and a chance to set a new team record.

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Union’s Playoff Battle: A Fight for Survival

The Philadelphia Union (9-13-10, 37 points) are in a critical situation. Their 2-1 loss to Orlando City on Wednesday has left them in a three-way tie with Toronto FC and D.C. United for 9th place in the Eastern Conference. However, with Toronto holding the tiebreaker, the Union are currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. The silver lining for Philadelphia is that they have one more match to play than Toronto, giving them a slight edge if they can capitalize on it.

Union Coach Jim Curtin understands the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the team’s ability to control its fate. “We have to find a way to regroup and get results in our last two games,” Curtin said. “Whether we deserve it or not, we are still in control of our own destiny. If we don’t win, we don’t deserve to be in the playoffs, and I’ve said that to our group.”

Philadelphia knows that anything less than a victory will likely end their playoff ambitions. Curtin’s clear message to the squad underscores the pressure they are facing: every game is now a do-or-die scenario.

Columbus Crew’s Playoff Push: Aiming for Home-Field Advantage

For Columbus Crew (16-6-9, 57 points), the stakes are equally significant, though their goals differ from Philadelphia’s. Their recent 3-2 loss to Inter Miami ended any hopes of winning the Supporters’ Shield, which goes to the team with the most regular-season points. However, with three games remaining, the Crew have their sights set on other milestones.

One of their primary objectives is to finish ahead of rival FC Cincinnati for second place in the Eastern Conference. Currently, Columbus holds a one-point lead over Cincinnati, having played one less game. Securing second place would provide them with home-field advantage in the playoffs—a key asset in their postseason campaign.

Additionally, the Crew are on the brink of setting a new single-season record for the franchise, as they are just one point away from achieving the highest points total in the club’s history.

“We want to finish above Cincinnati because they’re our rival and for home-field advantage in the playoffs,” said Crew midfielder Max Arfsten. “Even though we won’t win the Supporters’ Shield, there’s still so much to play for. These last three games are very important.”

Rebounding from Recent Losses

Neither team comes into this game feeling particularly good about their most recent outings.

Philadelphia’s defeat against Orlando was a lackluster performance that left coach Curtin openly critical of his squad. “At this stage of the season, you need a really strong performance, and we just didn’t have that,” Curtin stated. “It starts with myself. The entire group just wasn’t good enough.”

Columbus, too, is eager to put their recent loss behind them. Arfsten sees the quick turnaround as a blessing, noting that returning home provides a chance to regain momentum. “A quick turnaround helps get this taste out of our mouths, and we can play in front of our fans and do our thing,” he said.

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Key Factors in the Match

• Union’s Desperation: The Union are in a must-win situation. With just two games left to save their season, they will need to bring everything they have to Columbus. Expect Curtin’s squad to play aggressively from the start, knowing that any slip-up could spell the end of their playoff dreams.
• Crew’s Consistency: Columbus, while disappointed with the loss to Miami, has been one of the more consistent teams in MLS this season. Their focus will be on securing three points, setting a new team record, and ensuring home-field advantage for the playoffs. With plenty to play for, they are unlikely to ease up.
• Tactical Approach: For Philadelphia, it’s about tightening up defensively and finding ways to convert opportunities into goals, something they’ve struggled with in recent games. The Crew, on the other hand, will look to control possession, use their home-field advantage, and capitalize on their attacking prowess.

Conclusion: A Match of High Stakes

Saturday’s game between the Columbus Crew and the Philadelphia Union is crucial for both teams but in vastly different ways. The Union need to win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, while Columbus is gunning for a higher playoff seed and a record-setting season. Both teams are coming off tough losses, and how they rebound will likely determine the outcome.

For Philadelphia, the margin for error is non-existent. They will need a full team effort and clinical execution to stay in the playoff chase. Columbus, meanwhile, will be pushing to finish strong, aiming to solidify their position and enter the playoffs on a high note. In what promises to be a hard-fought battle, the stakes could not be higher for either side.