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Seattle Sounders face Columbus Crew in a playoff push showdown

Seattle looks to capitalize on Columbus Crew's missing stars, but can they break through the league's toughest defense? Find out how this high-stakes MLS battle could shape the playoff race

By Izabelle Franca

Aug 31, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan (7) plays the ball in the first half against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Aug 31, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan (7) plays the ball in the first half against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
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This Saturday, Seattle Sounders go head-to-head against Columbus Crew SC at Lower.com Field in a match that is sure to cause quite a stir in the MLS regular season table. The Sounders enter the match in 8th place in the Western Conference and need the three points to stay in the playoff race, while Columbus Crew sit in 3rd place in the Eastern Conference and look to nail their top spot and keep their good run of wins going.

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Context of the Match

The Seattle Sounders versus Columbus Crew matchup was already going to be highly anticipated, but the circumstances of this season make it even more intriguing. Originally scheduled for early June, the game was postponed to September's international window to accommodate the Crew's commitment to the Concacaf Champions Cup Final. But with that shift has come some added difficulties for both teams in missing several key players due to international duty.

Columbus will be without five key players, including the top scorer, Cucho Hernández, who has been instrumental in the Crew's season and currently is one of the favorites to win the MLS MVP award. Other players not featuring in this game are Mohamed Farsi, Steven Moreira, and Patrick Schulte, meaning the rest of the roster is going to feel a lot of pressure to continue the level of their season, especially on defense.

Performance and Strengths

Both teams bring different strengths into the matchup. The Sounders, with 11 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses, are still fighting to secure a solid playoff spot. Meanwhile, Columbus Crew has had an outstanding season with 14 wins, 7 draws, and only 4 losses—tying for the fewest losses in the league. Columbus also boasts a rock-solid defense, having conceded just 24 goals, the fewest in MLS.

While the Crew are on a seven-game winning run across all competitions, including their Leagues Cup win, the Sounders head into the matchup knowing full well that the absence of Cucho Hernández is the golden chance to break through Columbus's defensive wall. However, former LAFC man Diego Rossi still remains a serious threat for the Crew, notching 10 goals and 11 assists in 25 matches since his return to MLS.

Absences The Impact

Though Columbus is without its key players, Seattle has problems of its own. Former Tacoma Defiance winger Georgi Minoungou recently signed his First Team contract and looked bright in his last outing against the Portland Timbers. His ability to be sharp in the final third will help in creating chances and taking pressure off the Sounders' attack.

Seattle isn't just up against a strong defense, but a team with a recent history of dramatic comebacks. The last time they visited Columbus in 2021, the Sounders pulled off a stunning comeback, netting two late goals to steal the points. That kind of fighting spirit will be needed again, especially with playoff ambitions on the line.

Expectation of the Game

With the standings as tight as they are, every point is crucial at this point in the season. As much as the Sounders can take advantage of Columbus missing key stars, they still have to outlast the Crew's collective strength that has seen them through thus far into the season. Seattle's task will be not just breaking the solid defense but also handling Rossi's multifunctional attack, which has been a bright feature for the Crew.

On the other hand, Columbus seek to continue their winning run and make use of home-field advantage at Lower.com Field to earn another three points. This will be a huge test for the team's defense, however, with a number of big names on offense out. Simple would be the goal for Columbus-to control the game and avoid any of those surprising hiccups like they had in that loss during their last meeting.

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