Columbus Crew SC aren’t officially out of the playoff race, and won’t be even if they lose tonight. However, if Crew SC can’t beat Orlando City, they will be 11 points out of the playoffs with 6 games to play. It would be a gap to dent even the sunniest optimism.
The team will have to do it without a few key players. Tony Tchani picked up a red card late in last week’s loss while Cedrick Mabwati is suffering a thigh strain that will keep him on the sidelines. Wil Trapp is listed as questionable, but still recovering from his concussion and is a near certainty to miss the match.