United Stave Off Playoff Elimination With Win Over Crew

Washington, D.C. --Following three straight defeats at home, United had to win their game against the Crew to remain in the playoff race, thanks to Toronto's win earlier in the day. Now, instead of making off season holiday plans, United can fight for their playoff spot next weekend at Kansas City.

After the victory over the Crew, United now sit in a four way tie on 39 points. With New England earning a draw, and Dallas and Toronto winning, all three sit level with United in the battle for one of the last playoff spots. Between the four teams, United only holds the tie breaker over Dallas. Therefore, if United were to make the playoffs, they would need to better the results of Toronto and New England next weekend, while matching Dallas' result as well.

Simply, a defeat at the hands of Kansas City would automatically eliminate United from playoffs, no matter how the other teams performed.

When asked about the playoff picture,  United manager Tom Soehn admitted that the situation was unlike most seasons.

"It's crazy this year, anything can happen," stated Soehn in a press conference after the match. "You [United] can still finish second in the conference, that's how crazy things are. Right now all we're concerned with is that we kept our hopes alive, and put ourselves in a spot where we keep fighting for another day."

To finish in second place, United would need to win their game, and hope that Chicago lost and Toronto and New England did no better than a draw.

United could jump Colorado with a win and a Colorado loss/tie.

So then, they could get into the playoffs with a win, either Toronto or New England losing/drawing, and Colorado losing/drawing.

On Saturday night, United were buoyed by Emilio's crucial first half goal, and the play of Steve Cronin, who joined the team on loan from USL side Portland in the past week. Cronin looked as if he had been with the team for some time, earning his clean sheet with several fine saves.

"Steve did a great job," said Soehn. "It's always difficult coming in to a new environment. [But] today, he really solidified things, he made great decisions, and he looked like he had been with us all year."

For Columbus, their loss meant that there is an outside chance that they now lose out on the Supporters Shield. But for manager Robert Warzycha, it was more about self preservation in the rainy conditions than ensuring a second consecutive Supporters Shield. One move that indicated that mentality was the removal of Guillermo Barros Schelotto early in the second half.

"We talked before the game, and I only wanted to play him forty-five minutes today," said Warzycha after the match. "We have a very important game coming up  Puerto Rico on Tuesday [Champions League], and I have to do what is best for the team and him."

Warzycha also admitted that the main goal of securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs was complete, and that securing a second consecutive Supporters Shield was just an added bonus.

"We are not putting any pressure on ourselves to win the Supporters Shield," Warzycha added after the match. "We won the East, and that is very important, because we have home field advantage. If we win the Supporters Shield, that would be great, if we don't, it's okay too."

What is ensured with the United victory Saturday night, is that there is still all to play for for both clubs heading into the final weekend of the season.

Steven Streff, Goal.com

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