Ahead of this weekend’s important match ups that will decide the seeds for the rest of the Eastern Conference Playoffs, we will profile the three teams whose fates remain unknown—Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls and Sporting Kansas City.
Whichever team wins the Eastern Conference knockout game will land the fourth place spot in the Conference and will therefore matchup against the Black-and-Red in the Semifinal round. DCU will host the fourth place team on November 8 at 2:30 p.m. at RFK - BUY TICKETS
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Columbus Crew
How they can land at 4th:
The Columbus Crew, who takes on a statistically eliminated Philadelphia Union, has to lose and hope Sporting Kansas City wins or ties against the New York Red Bulls. Then Columbus would need to win the knockout game.
Record against D.C. United:
This year, D.C. United has gone 0-1-2 against the Crew, whom the Black-and-Red opened the season against. In the teams’ first match up, Columbus left RFK Stadium with three points, beating United 3-0. A Federico Higuain brace Jairo Arrieta finish ensured the victory on March 8th.
The two squads met again, this time at Crew Stadium, and Fabián Espdínola found his first goal of the season with a beautiful finish of a Nick DeLeon assist in the 31st minute. Will Trapp and Hector Jimenez helped Columbus grab one point in the 90th minute when Trapp stole the ball and found Jimenez, who finished past United goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra.
United and Columbus met once more, this time in a scoreless draw at FedExField on June 7.
Team leaders:
This season, Ethan Finlay has scored 11 goals, a career high and assisted on seven others. Higuain has the same stat line, 11 goals and seven assists, followed by Justin Meram with eight goals of his own.
New York Red Bulls
How they can clinch 4th:
The Red Bulls have to tie or lose to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday and then win the knockout round game.
Record against D.C. United:
United has a record of 2-1-0 against New York in 2014, beating the Red Bulls twice at RFK Stadium and losing at Red Bull Arena. In the first meeting, Davy Arnaud scored in the 4th minute when Bobby Boswell flicked on an Espdínola corner, and the Black-and-Red held on to that lead for the rest of the match.
The Red Bulls return to RFK on August 31, when Eddie Johnson and Luis Silva each tallied, helping United beat its I-95 rival 2-0 and recapturing the Atlantic Cup.
When D.C. visited Red Bull Arena, the Black-and-Red played a man down for 54 minutes due to a controversial Espdínola red card. Holding the Red Bulls scoreless for the almost the entire match, Lloyd Sam spoiled the shutout with a 90th minute goal, ensuring New York’s 1-0 win.
Team Leaders:
Bradley Wright Phillips is leading all of MLS in goals this season with 25, seeming to score at will. Thierry Henry follows BWP with 10 goals and leads his team in assists with nine. Midfielder Eric Alexander is second on his team in assists, helping on eight goals.
Sporting Kansas City
How they can land at 4th:
Sporting Kansas City needs to lose to New York on Sunday or to draw and see Columbus find a win. Then they would need to win the knockout game.
Record against D.C. United:
In 2014, United has owned the series against the reigning MLS Champions with a record of 2-0-1.
In the first meeting, Espdínola showed his magic when he caught Eric Kronberg off his line and beat the keeper high to the far corner in the 28th minute. That score line held and United won 1-0.
D.C. then traveled to Sporting Park and had an explosive first half. Espdínola tallied first, followed by Chris Rolfe and Perry Kitchen. With no goals in the second half, United earned three points with a 3-0 win.
KC and United’s final meeting saw a 0-0 draw and RFK, but that’s all the Black-and-Red needed to clinch a spot in playoffs.
Team Leaders:
Dom Dywer leads the team in goals with 22, far beyond the second leading scorer Benny Feilhaber who has four goals, and six assists. Graham Zusi leads his team in assist with eight and has also netted five goals.
