COLUMBUS, Ohio - After their 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Union on Sunday, the Columbus Crew know they may have stolen a result.
The match seemed headed for a draw after the Union netted an equalizer in the 85th minute, but Bernardo Anor saved the match with a winner in the 90th minute to put the Crew in position to avoid the Knockout Round in the MLS Cup Playoffs, presented by AT&T. It all depends on whether or not Sporting Kansas City falter against the New York Red Bulls later on Sunday evening.
And while the players know they'll need a better performance in the postseason, the win is the type to signify something for a team that struggled to win close games earlier this season.
"Earlier in the year or last year, we might lose that game or tie that game," midfielder Wil Trapp said after the match. "But (now) it's a different story. We have the resilience, the belief and the quality to create chances and score."
Facing a potential midweek playoff matchup, head coach Gregg Berhalter admitted that resting players -- including designated player Federico Higuain -- weighed on his mind. He called it "annoying" to have to deal with, but ultimately felt justified after the club got the win.
"We had a goal, and it was to win the game -- and we did that," he said. "It certainly wasn't our best performance, but on a day when you chose to rest Federico and make a couple of other changes, it was great that we got the victory. Fifty-two points in the season isn't bad."
Crew captain Michael Parkhurst said the club struggled "on a lot of fronts," and was disappointed that they seemed to let complacency come into play after qualifying for the postseason last week.
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"We talked about how (FC) Dallas struggled yesterday, and it's kind of the same situation that we were in," he said. "We told ourselves we really didn't want to do that. But then we go out there and of course we struggle. So it was really important that we were able to battle back and get the victory."
Now the Crew will play the waiting game to see what the Red Bulls can do in Kansas City. If New York wins or draws, the Crew will finish the season in third place in the East.
"We'll see tonight," Parkhurst said, "but that goal might be quite valuable."
