Two Eastern Conference clubs trying to improve their records with the playoffs fast approaching collide this Saturday as New York City FC (NYC FC) host Columbus Crew SC at Yankee Stadium.
NYC FC are at 7–12–7 and currently sit on the sixth spot in the East tied with the Montreal Impact and Orlando City SC as they all have 28 points.
Only the top six clubs per conference advance to the playoffs; that is why Saturday's game is crucial for NYCFC.
The match against Columbus will be the second time in 10 days that NYC FC will face the club from Ohio.
Their last match against the Crew, which was held on Aug. 19 at the Mapfre Stadium, ended in a 2–2 draw.
Now, NYC FC are looking to finish with a victory against Columbus and will also try to bounce back after a 5–1 drubbing suffered against the LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center in their last Major League Soccer (MLS) match.
NYC FC captain David Villa was the only one who netted a goal in the loss when he successfully converted a penalty shot late in the second half.
The goals allowed (five goals) by NYC FC against the Galaxy was the most in franchise history.
Meanwhile, Columbus Crew are looking to move up in the Eastern Conference standings.
The Crew is currently on the third spot in the East with a 10–8–8 record and 38 points, just a point behind the second-seeded New York Red Bulls.
Columbus Crew also try to remain unbeaten when they head to the Yankee Stadium Saturday as they are yet to suffer a loss in their past three MLS matches against the Colorado Rapids (2–1), NYC FC (2–2), and Sporting Kansas City (3–2).
The last club to defeat Columbus Crew are Orlando City SC when they handed them a 5–2 loss.
NYC FC hosting Columbus Crew will be on Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. EST and to watch the match via live stream, click here.
