COLUMBUS — The Crew finally had some momentum when the international break arrived. Now they need to make sure it did not disappear during the time off.
Columbus returns to MLS action Saturday night at Orlando City with 29 points through 27 matches and seven games remaining in the regular season. The Crew entered the break four points outside the Eastern Conference play-in line after back-to-back wins over CF Montréal and Inter Miami.
Those victories provided a badly needed lift after a difficult season.
Columbus beat Montréal 2-0 on the road before returning home and knocking off Lionel Messi and Miami, 2-1, on Jamal Thiaré’s winner deep into stoppage time. The two results gave the Crew six points at exactly the time they needed them and kept a postseason push alive.
Orlando presents another chance to keep the momentum going.
The Lions sit at 10-13-4 with 34 points, only five ahead of Columbus despite currently sitting several places higher in the table. Orlando entered the international break in poor form, including consecutive 4-2 league losses against New England and Philadelphia.
Defense has been a major problem for the Lions. Orlando has conceded 64 goals this season, one of the highest totals in MLS, but the club still possesses enough attacking talent to turn any match into a problem.
Antoine Griezmann remains the most recognizable threat, while Martín Ojeda and Iván Angulo give Orlando additional options around him. The Crew already know what that group can do, but they also know they can beat it.
Columbus eliminated Orlando from the U.S. Open Cup less than a month ago, winning 2-1 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field behind goals from Josef Martínez and Brais Méndez. Saturday will be the first meeting between the clubs since that semifinal.
The stakes are different this time, but they are significant.
Columbus has seven league matches left and very little margin for error. After Orlando, the Crew return home Wednesday against Charlotte before traveling to Cincinnati for the Hell Is Real derby on Oct. 18.
Two wins before the break gave the Crew a chance.
Saturday night is about making sure they keep it.
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