'We still have a chance': How Columbus Crew remain in race for 1st place vs Inter Miami
If Inter Miami goes into Lower.com Field on Wednesday and defeats the Crew, Miami will be celebrating the club's first Supporters' Shield, given to the MLS team with the best regular-season record. Any other result, the Crew stays alive in its attempt to catch Miami for first place in the Eastern Conference.
"They are first, and we want to run after them," Crew defender Rudy Camacho said. "Even if we have a small chance, we’re going to take it. We never know. They can lose points and we can take three points against them. So, it’s very important. We have one less game (played) also that we can eventually win. So, there is a chance and we’re going to try everything to get it.”
As it stands, Miami is the top team in the league with a 19-8-4 record and 65 points. Behind Miami is Los Angeles Galaxy with a 17-7-7 record and 58 points followed by the Crew, with a 16-9-5 record and 57 points.
The advantage for the Crew is that they have one more game to play than the others due to the New England Revolution game being rescheduled from May to Oct. 12, a schedule adjustment made to accommodate Columbus' CONCACAF Champions Cup final match.
With their 2-2 draw against D.C. United on Saturday, the Crew surpassed FC Cincinnati for second place in the Eastern Conference. Miami failed to secure first place with a 1-1 draw against Charlotte FC that same day.
"It’s normal that we think about it (the playoffs), both teams and everyone," Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said. "I don’t know if we’re going to meet during the playoffs, but every game is not the same game. Wednesday is going to be an important game for both teams."
The Crew have faced Miami twice this season, starting with a regular-season game on June 19. The Crew lost 2-1 on the road despite Miami being without star players Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. In Leagues Cup, the Crew won 3-2 at Lower.com Field.
Messi was unavailable for Miami in the Leagues Cup game, as he was recovering from an ankle injury. For the first time since joining the league in July of 2023, Messi is expected to be available when Miami plays the Crew in this upcoming game.
"It’s always nice to play against players like this, that’s what we want," Camacho said. "So, this is a good game for us. And we played against Miami in Leagues Cup and we won, so we can do it again. We still have a chance, it’s not going to be easy, but we still have a chance and if we beat them on Wednesday, we can believe in it, first place."
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew still in race for 1st place ahead of Inter Miami game
