#NYCvCLB: PREVIEW | MATCH NOTES | BERHALTER | TCHANI | SAEID
Entering the final match day of the Major League Soccer regular season, Columbus Crew SC also concludes a three-match away stint with a visit to New York City FC and Yankee Stadium on Sunday. All 10 MLS matches kick off simultaneously at 4 p.m. ET, but before the opening whistle blows, here are three things to know about NYCFC:
On the line
For the blue side of New York, Sunday's showdown carries heavy implications. The second-year team is already qualified for the 2016 Audi MLS Playoffs, but — depending on the result against Crew SC and Toronto FC's versus Chicago — could enter the postseason as either the No. 2 seed with a bye in the knockout stages. Or, NYCFC could fall to the No. 3 seed and be forced into a midweek knockout round match.
Last week, NYCFC saw their two-game winning run put to an end in a 3-1 loss at D.C. United on Sunday afternoon. NYCFC surely hopes to close the regular season with a home win to propel itself into the postseason. Against United, David Villa scored his 22nd goal this season and his fifth goal in his last three matches.
Speaking of Villa ...
The World Cup-winning forward has exhibited extraordinary form throughout 2016 — as showcased by his 22 goals this year and 40 goals in just two MLS seasons. He sits just one goal behind New York Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips in the Golden Boot standings with just 90 minutes left to play in the season.
Uncharted territory
NYCFC has never claimed maximum points from Crew SC. The teams are meeting for fifth time all-time and the third time this season.
The first two meetings both came at MAPFRE Stadium. In the first meeting on April 16, David Villa scored twice for NYCFC, but Ethan Finlay, Kei Kamara and Justin Meram hit the back of the net for Crew SC for a 3-2 victory. Then on August 13, Villa scored a pair of goals, including a stoppage-time go-ahead penalty kick – but Finlay also scored twice, including the 95th-minute equalizer, to finish with a 3-3 draw Aug. 13.
The teams met twice in NYCFC’s first MLS season. They reached a 2-2 draw August 19 at MAPFRE Stadium, then Crew SC claimed a 2-1 victory 10 days later at Yankee Stadium.