Atlanta United v Columbus Crew: Do or die to reach playoffs, says Schulte

Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte said his team must "put their body on the line" to ensure a place in the MLS playoffs, starting against Atlanta United this weekend.

The Crew played out a goalless draw with the New York Red Bulls ahead of the international break, a result that extended their winless league run to four matches.

Indeed, Columbus managed just three shots against the Red Bulls, equalling their fewest in any MLS match since at least 2010 (three against Montreal in May 2021).

The Crew had attempted 11 or more shots in each of their previous six league games, taking at least 18 in four of those six, and Schulte is hoping for improvements in that area.

"I think this one really felt like a playoff game," Schulte said. "Not that the others didn't, but it's kind of that point in the season that it's now do or die.

"Put your body on the line to get the three points or to advance. Give yourself the best chance of going forward in the season."

Columbus sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, six points ahead of the cut-off line for the playoffs, though Wilfried Nancy felt like his side were already in the postseason.

"This is a game sometimes like this when we had one big chance that we have to score, we know that; we didn't do it," Nancy said. "At this type of moment, this is a playoff game.

"We tried to attack, but also, they are in an aggressive position and they did a good job on that. It could happen. I think that we had the opportunity to score, and we didn't do it."

The Crew make the trip to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to take on an Atlanta side who picked up a much-needed victory ahead of the international break, beating Nashville SC 1-0.

Ronald Hernandez's early strike proved decisive in a backs-to-the-wall display that saw Atlanta register an expected goals (xG) total of 0.76 to Nashville's 1.78 from their 19 shots.

The result saw Atlanta pick up their first road win of the 2025 campaign, and head coach Ronny Deila is hoping that it will prove to be a solid foundation to build on.

"Of course it is. I have never been through a stretch like this. It has been crazy long," Deila said. "We played some quite good games but not the results, but now we have it.

"I'm just eager to keep on going. We now have to tough home games against good opponents, but we are strong and can beat anybody, and that is the truth.

"I am now looking forward to that we hopefully get all the players back from the international break in a good shape so we can continue this momentum."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atlanta United – Steven Alzate

After making his move to Atlanta from Hull City in August, Alzate got himself off the mark with an assist for the Five Stripes' winner against Nashville last time out. 

The Colombian's 88.9% passing accuracy in the final third was the joint-best for Atlanta alongside Bartosz Slisz, and he will be hopeful of making a similar impact here. 

Columbus Crew – Diego Rossi

With the Crew scoring just three goals in their four-match winless run, they will be hoping that Rossi can add to his team-high total of 13 league goals so far this season. 

Across his MLS career, he has eight goal involvements (three goals, five assists) against Atlanta, only managing more against the San Jose Earthquakes (10) and Los Angeles Galaxy (11). 

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN

The home team has not lost any of the last nine meetings between Atlanta and Columbus across all competitions, including the last six matches being won by the home team. The last visiting team to win in the series was the Crew, recording a 2-1 win at Atlanta in May 2022.

However, the Crew have struggled on the road of late. They have won just one of their last nine away matches (D5 L3), recording a 4-2 win at in-state rivals FC Cincinnati on July 12. Columbus have not won a match outside of Ohio since defeating St. Louis City SC, 2-1, on April 13.

Atlanta, meanwhile, snapped their 11-match regular-season winless run with a victory over Nashville SC on August 30. They have lost only two of their last nine league matches (W1 D6).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 26.3%

Draw – 23.6%

Columbus Crew – 50.1%