There’s plenty still at stake for NYCFC as we enter our final game of the MLS regular season.
Columbus Crew stand in the way of a place in the Eastern Conference semifinals in Sunday’s showdown at Yankee Stadium.
Let’s take a look at what’s required in order for us to skip the Knockout Round and examine who we could be facing off against in our first-ever MLS Playoffs campaign…
What do we need?
In many ways, it’s a simple equation… three points will take NYCFC through to the Conference semifinals irrespective of what happens elsewhere.
Fail to win, however, and the situation becomes a little less clear.
A Toronto win against Chicago at BMO Field, coupled with a draw or loss will see us drop into the Knockout Round.
Read: NYCFC to host Fan Appreciation Day
Home or Away?
If we qualify for the Conference Semifinals on Sunday, we’ll be away from home for our first-leg and then back at Yankee Stadium on Sunday November 6.
It would be a quick turnaround for us we take part in the Knockout match as that would be played on Wednesday 26 or Thursday 27 October.
Whichever way it goes, tickets are already on sale for this historic match on Ticketmaster.com or NYCFC.com.
Who could we face?
In the event of a win on Sunday, we’d take on the highest-seeded victor from the Knockout Rounds which will be determined by the final MLS Standings.
If we were to be pitted into Knockout Round action, we would likely face either Philadelphia Union or Montreal Impact next week.
Form Guide…
NYCFC are unbeaten in seven at Yankee Stadium where we welcome Columbus Crew SC.
Columbus are 2-10-4 away from Mapfre Stadium.
Columbus are without a win in two, losing 3-2 to Red Bulls last time out.
Toronto host Chicago who are rooted to the foot of the Eastern Conference but they do come into the match on the back of a 2-1 victory over New England.
