It’s a “bottom-line business,” said Caleb Porter following Columbus Crew SC’s 2-1 win over Atlanta United, which lifted Columbus into third place in the Eastern Conference and sealed a home match vs. the New York Red Bulls in Round One of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs.
“The regular season is done, and I told the guys that they need to remember what they did over that regular season, because this is a bottom-line business, and everybody knows that,” Porter said.
Statistically, Sunday’s victory put a cap on the Club’s best regular season since 2008, as the Black & Gold finished with an average of 1.78 points-per-game, including a near-perfect 2.7 points-per-game at MAPFRE Stadium.
HIGHLIGHTS | Columbus Crew 2, Atlanta United 1
“The bottom line,” continued Porter, “is that based on the games that we’ve had, and the points that we got, this is one of the best seasons in club history.”
The MLS Cup-winning head coach was adamant about providing perspective on the gravity of the accomplishment.
Speaking to supporters, in particular, Porter hoped onlookers appreciated the often overlooked grittiness the team showed throughout a season defined by perseverance.
“We’re supposed to show up, we’re supposed to get results and that’s our job,” Porter said. “But it wasn’t always easy this year with games every two to three days and with COVID going on. You know, these guys aren’t robots, they’re people. I just couldn’t believe today, how much they gave.”
As much as Porter wanted to highlight the Club’s regular-season accomplishment, when it comes to the legacy of 2020, he said, it begins and ends with the post-season.
“We’re going to be remembered for what we do in the playoffs, so we’re in it to win it. We’re not happy [just] being in it, we’re in it to win it, and [with] a home game. I can’t wait to get back on the pitch, I can’t wait to improve on some things and I can’t wait to be in that first playoff game at MAPFRE [Stadium].”
INTERVIEW | Porter: "The bottom line is that...this is one of the best seasons in club history."
In terms of home results, there isn’t much room for improvement, as the Black & Gold finished the regular-season 9-1-0 at MAPFRE Stadium.
Additionally, the Crew stands tied for most home shutouts with five, having only faced 35 shots on target at home all season.
The Club is 2-0-1 in its last there home playoff matches, with the last home loss coming in the 2015 MLS Cup Final when the Club was a touchline-call and a clearance away from its second MLS Cup.
Now, 12 years later, Porter knows it’s not just the supporters who are hungry for another star above the crest.
“This team wants to leave a legacy in 2020. [The] 2008 [season], that’s the one everybody has talked about forever and we want to be the next one. That’s our goal, that’s our vision and that’s what we’re going to fight for.”
Details regarding the date and time of Columbus’s home Round One match against the New York Red Bulls will be announced in the near future.
