Only three home matches remain in the regular season for Columbus Crew SC as it prepares to host FC Dallas this Sunday at 7 p.m. With their eyes set on the top spot in the Eastern Conference, and the mentality to protect their fortress that is MAPFRE Stadium, the Black & Gold stress the importance of concluding the weekend three points richer.
Both Crew SC and FC Dallas currently sit in third in their respective conferences. With 41 points each, they are neck and neck in the Supporter Shield standings, five points behind leaders LA Galaxy, who have played one more match than Columbus and three more than Dallas.
“If you look at the standings, it’s very tight,” Crew SC forward Jack McInerney says. “We have an opportunity to get up to first place before the season’s over or we can slip up and easily be down in fifth. So all these home games are important and three points are a must, especially against a quality team like Dallas. We need to show that we can compete with the best teams in the League.”
Crew SC is heading into Sunday’s nationally televised match with confidence, having registered only two losses in its last 13 matches, and boasting an 8-2-4 record at home this season.
“We just try to make MAPFRE Stadium our fortress,” Homegrown defender Chad Barson says. “Just our support, our love for our community, and just being at home in our environment, we want to make the most of those opportunities with our home games.”
Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter says playing at home comes with an element of pride.
“We’re focused on Sunday’s game and having a good performance, especially at home,” Berhalter says. “Giving the fans entertainment, that’s what we pride ourselves on.”
This is Columbus’ third nationally televised match this season and Berhalter says he’s excited for the opportunity to battle another tough opponent.
“They’re a good team, a lot of good players, a lot of good individual talent, and a very attacking-oriented team,” Berhalter says. “We think it’s going to be a difficult game, it’s going to be a fun game for the fans, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Coming off two big victories over Sporting Kansas City and New York City FC, the Black & Gold aim to continue their current form and extend their winning streak when FC Dallas comes to town.
“We don’t want to stop at this high level that we’re playing at right now,” Barson says. “We want to keep building off each game and each training session to keep getting better and pushing toward the end of the year.”
Crew SC and FC Dallas kick off at 7 p.m. Sunday. Get your tickets here. Can’t make it to MAPFRE Stadium? Catch the action on Fox Sports 1, CD 102.5 FM or La Mega 103.1.
