PREVIEW: Does Columbus have the intestinal fortitude to be competitive these next four games, playoffs?

On: 2:34 PM By: Ryan Kozlowski 0 comments

                                      

COLUMBUS CREW (10-4-5)- 35 POINTS / GF: 31 GA: 16 

                                                                         VS. 

D.C. UNITED (4-10-6)- 18 POINTS / GF: 19 GA: 34

Columbus Crew have four games left beginning with two straight win D.C. United on the road tomorrow. 

Columbus comes into the game far more healthier than the last month where they've mucked through their MLS schedule at 1-3-2. Nagbe, Zelerayan, and Room all played a role in the last game finally.

Regardless some recent results should have been avoidable. 

Two of Columbus's three losses over the last month were against the 23 point Montreal Impact at home and dead last 16 point FC Cincinnati. 

The Columbus Crew have basically relegated themselves from The Seagram's MLS Regular Season Trophy or whatever one wants to call The Supporters Shield now.

Can't change that last month. 

Instead what I want to see is more of an intent to be competitive these next four games consistently.

  

Less of this

And at least TRY to make the Continental Tire Regular Season Title battle interesting. 

Crew have one more game left compared to both Toronto FC and the Philadelphia Union. In addition, the Crew still play the Philadelphia Union. 

What Columbus can't do these next four games is be alright tying the 18 point DC United, like they did with the 21 point Houston Dynamo on Saturday. They can't have Pedro Santos missing the target completely on wide open nets. They can't be outshot 24-8. 

The Crew need to take advantage of other teams missteps, if they occur, these next four games. If there is another Philadelphia-like demolition of TFC get four points back instead of six.

I don't think both Philadelphia and Toronto are capable of combusting which is fine. 

What would be a positive start instead is Columbus being capable of winning on the road. Haven't done that this year except in the neutral bubble. They'll have to in the playoffs.

Also beat inferior opponents. Lately couldn't do that to Montreal Impact, FC Cincinnati, or Houston Dynamo. The Crew's first playoff opponent will likely be slightly inferior. 

3rd place is great, would take that finish position at the beginning of the season. 

3rd place isn't quite as great when you were in 1st by five points a month ago. 

However, if the Columbus Crew finish this regular season strong and are capable of battling in these playoffs as we await our new stadium I'll be content. 

Would be nice if it wouldn't be too wild to expect a bit more. But is still debatable if this 2020 Crew has the intestinal fortitude, has been missing lately.

CREWTURE'S COLUMBUS LINEUP:

Without Luis Diaz's contribution the last game to about force the Houston own goal on his own we are over two games back, still at 34 points with a loss. 

Without that point probably already out of the Target Regular Season Shield at 7 points back instead of 6. Diaz looked like he came on the field looking for a goal. That beat most of the Crew who seemed unsure what they were looking for? 

That kind of impact deserves a result. 

Diaz would be replacing Santos for a game. Prior to the last game, Santos looked great recently. But the two misses on wide open nets against Houston was a bit...

The Crew rest other people on three day breaks between games, perhaps he could use one? 

What happened to Cadden by the way? Thought he was pretty good and Afful could use a rest once in a while too.

And behind Nagbe, perhaps Zelerayan (if he could ever be on the field enough to get in a groove) I feel actually Mokhtar is our next best midfielder.

Kind of hard to be on the field consistently when we have 14 guys battling for the last midfield spot. Mokhtar definitely doesn't get the respect. 

RESULT: I'm done predicting road wins so maybe we will win. 2-2 TIE.