Why Columbus will make the playoffs
1. Strong Defensively
Only Los Angeles and D.C. have given up less goals than Columbus this season. They have been stingy at the back for the entire season, and its one of the main reasons they currently find themselves in a playoff spot. They have only given up three or more goals four times this season, and have been scored on just twice in their last four matches. They have kept clean sheets in two consecutive matches now, and will not be a fun team for any striker to play against. Head coach and former U.S. international defender,Gregg Berhalter, praised Juventus and their defensive style when he arrived at Columbus, and it’s clear he has his team thinking defense.
2. Federico Higuain is a difference maker
While his World Cup finalist younger brother, Gonzalo Higuain, may be the more known name internationally, in Major League Soccer, Federico Higuain is a sensation. The Argentine leads Columbus with both 11 goals and 6 assists, and will be a huge factor for the Crew down the stretch. It was Higuain’s beautiful free kick that snapped New England’s five game winning streak just a couple of weeks ago, as Higuain showed just how clutch he could be. He is the type of player who can change the game at any time through a moment of individual brilliance, and will not be an opponent that teams look forward to playing against.
3. Peaking at the right time
After winning their opening three matches of the season, Columbus struggled leading up to the World Cup break. However, the team has only lost twice in their last eleven matches, and are finding their form at the perfect time. The Crew are unbeaten in four, and head into a difficult game in New England full of confidence. The 4-2-3-1 system that Berhalter likes to deploy has been working terrifically for the Crew as of late, and is a difficult one to breakdown for any opponent of theirs.
Why Columbus won’t make the playoffs
1. Three of their final four matches are on the road
Columbus m,ay currently sit in fourth place, three points up on Toronto FC who sit in sixth, but three of their final four games happen away from Crew Stadium, including their next three consecutive matches. Columbus has not faired well on the road this season, winning only three games, and two of them were in their opening three matches. They have not won away from home in league play since July 26th, and before that was on March 29th. The Crew are in control of their playoff fate, but they will need to get results on the road if they plan on playing in November.
2. Lack of playoff experience
Columbus have not made the playoffs in the last two seasons, and are fighting their hearts out to get into the postseason this year. The aforementioned team superstar, Federico Higuain, has never made the playoffs since joining the Crew in 2012. While the team do have veterans like Tyson Wahl and captain, Michael Parkhurst, it still may not be enough to see Columbus through. Berhalter is in his first season at the helm of a Major League Soccer franchise, and while he has done well managing Columbus up until this point, he will soon find out that points are most difficult to pick up in the final matches of the season.