Nicole: Malte Amundsen with a multi-goal night. A U.S. Open Cup final loss that shattered hearts. And a league-wide race for the final playoff spot where every single point is now gold. Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Nicole.
Kevin: And I’m Kevin. Today we’re looking at how Columbus stacks up against their division rivals and the rest of MLS, especially after that penalty shootout in St. Louis.
Nicole: Here’s what we’ve got: first, we break down the headlines around the league—Inter Miami, Nashville, and Orlando—and what they mean for the Crew. Second, we look at the tactical reality of that Open Cup final loss and the Portland game. And third, we talk about the playoff push, the gap to ninth place, and whether those recent wins change anything.
Kevin: We’re also going to revisit that prediction from last week about the creative midfielder. Because if you remember, we said this team misses the playoffs without one. Let’s see if the data supports that right now.
Nicole: Let’s dive into Segment One: The League Landscape. Kevin, you mentioned Inter Miami and Nashville. How does the top of the table affect Columbus?
Kevin: Well, Nicole, it’s interesting because the power rankings have Nashville still as No. 1, but Inter Miami is moving up. They just ended their winless drought. Meanwhile, St. Louis City SC is hot on their heels, having just won their first-ever trophy. For Columbus, it’s a reminder that the teams above them are peaking right when it matters.
Nicole: Right, and St. Louis beat us in the Open Cup final. That’s not just a loss; that’s a statement. But let’s talk about Orlando. Iván Angulo scored that stoppage-time winner against us. Does that hurt more than the Portland result?
Kevin: It stings. Orlando had Antoine Griezmann adding a goal and an assist, and Maxime Crépeau made 12 saves. We were down 3-2 late. It shows that when teams press high and exploit transitions, like Orlando did with Angulo in the 89th minute, Columbus struggles to clear lines.
Nicole: So, defensive transitions are key. What about Toronto? We beat them 4-1 recently. Malte Amundsen scored twice. Is that a sign of life?
Kevin: It’s a sign of offensive potential. Gonzalo Tapia and Brooks Lennon both added goals. Amundsen’s first career multi-goal game in MLS was huge. But you have to ask: who was Toronto playing? Against St. Louis or Orlando, we looked vulnerable. Against Toronto, we looked clinical.
Nicole: Fair point. So the quality of opponent matters. But let’s get to the standings. We’re 19th in MLS with an 11-5-15 record. Cincinnati is chasing us, but they’re also chasing the ninth spot. How tight is this race?
Kevin: It’s incredibly tight. We beat Cincinnati 2-0 on Sunday. Taha Habroune scored his third consecutive game, and Gonzalo Tapia had a goal and an assist. That win closed the gap. But being 19th means we’re outside the playoff picture entirely. Every game now is about pride and preparation for next year, unless something wild happens.
Nicole: Wild things do happen. But let’s be real: the odds are against us. Before we break down the tactics of those losses, I need to ask you something important. If you love this show, please consider supporting us. We keep Beatline free, daily, and ad-free because of listeners like you. It’s the only way we stay independent. Just check the link in the episode description to help us out. Thanks for keeping the signal strong.
Kevin: Thanks, Nicole. Let’s talk about the Open Cup final. Roman Bürki, St. Louis’ goalkeeper, was stretchered off after a collision. That’s serious. But Columbus lost on penalties. What went wrong there?
Nicole: The pressure! You can see it in the build-up play. When you’re playing for a club’s first trophy, the weight is immense. Did Patrick Schulte make any key saves in regulation?
Kevin: Schulte made three saves in the Portland game, but in the Open Cup, the issue was midfield control. We lacked that creative spark. Without Higuain, who left, we didn’t have anyone to break down St. Louis’ low block. Cole Bassett had 68 accurate passes for Portland earlier, showing how controlled those midfields can be.
Nicole: So, no creativity equals no penetration. And then on penalties, the nerves took over. Compare that to the Portland game. We lost 3-2 away. Felipe Mora had three shots for Portland. James Pantemis made two saves. Was that a different story?
Kevin: That was a different story because we fought back. Wessam Abou Ali had three shots for us. Rudy Camacho had 74 accurate passes. We showed resilience. But losing 3-2 on the road tells me our away form is still a major weakness. We can score, but we leak chances.
Nicole: Leaking chances. That’s the theme. Three straight games now: loss to Orlando, loss to Portland, loss to St. Louis on penalties. Is this a systemic issue or just bad luck?
Kevin: Systemic. Look at the xG, if we had it, I bet our defensive line is getting exposed too often. The lack of a creative midfielder isn’t just an offensive problem; it’s a defensive one. If you don’t control possession, you don’t rest your defense. We’re running ourselves into the ground.
Nicole: Running themselves into the ground. Exactly. So, if the front office doesn’t act, does this season end here? Or is there a sliver of hope for that ninth spot?
Kevin: Honestly, Nicole, the math is brutal. We’re 19th. The gap to ninth is likely too wide given the remaining schedule. But those five wins in six games? That’s momentum. It proves the core players—Amundsen, Tapia, Habroune—are clicking.
Nicole: Clicking. Yes. And that’s what we need to carry into the offseason. Last week we predicted missing the playoffs. Do you still stand by that?
Kevin: I do. Unless there’s a massive collapse by the teams in 8th through 12th, we’re not catching up. We finished with 11 wins. Our previous prediction was roughly 12-13 wins. We’re close, but not quite enough. The playoff spot belongs to teams like Nashville and Philly who are hotter right now.
Nicole: So, the focus shifts entirely to the offseason. You predicted the front office would aggressively pursue a creative midfielder. Is that still the number one priority?
Kevin: Absolutely. Pairing someone with Wessam Abou Ali is non-negotiable. You saw what happened against Toronto. When we had structure, we scored four. When we had chaos, we conceded late. We need a player who can dictate tempo in the center circle.
Nicole: Dictate tempo. Right. So, while the fans might be frustrated by the standings, the message from the locker room seems to be: we’re building something. Even if it’s for next year.
Kevin: Exactly. The foundation is there. Amundsen, Tapia, Lennon, Habroune—they’re young, hungry, and starting to understand each other. The missing piece is the glue. The creative engine. Find that, and Columbus is dangerous again.
Nicole: So, there you have it. A tough season ending on a high note, but a clear path forward defined by one critical position. Missed playoffs, but big offseason plans.
Kevin: Stay tuned for updates on that midfield acquisition. It’s going to be a busy winter for Crew Nation.
Nicole: If you enjoyed this deep dive, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite platform. Share this with a fellow Crew fan. Let’s keep the conversation going.
Kevin: Up the Crew!
Nicole: Up the Crew! I’m Nicole, I’m Kevin, and we’ll see you on the next Beatline.