The race for the playoffs is all but over. With only four games left, Crew SC’s eight point deficit is too much to realistically overcome. Columbus still has something to play for, pride, jobs in 2017, and with four more points, being spared the ignominy of being the worst team in Crew SC history.
Columbus will have to try with heavy legs and likely a changed lineup. Harrison Afful was lifted from Wednesday’s game with an injury and is unlikely to feature. Several other players have played the full 90 minutes twice this week already, including Ethan Finlay, Mohammed Saeid, Nicolai Naess, and Ola Kamara.