Nicole: Malte Amundsen breaks out, the Crew fall short in the Open Cup final, and now they’re staring down the barrel of a playoff miss. It’s a lot to process for Columbus fans.
Kevin: It is. We talked about this gap in midfield yesterday, and today we see how those league results—both good and bad—are shaping up right at the deadline. This is Beatline.
Nicole: Welcome back to the daily Beatline Podcast Network, your number one source for MLS analysis. I’m Nicole, and as always, I’m joined by our lead analyst, Kevin. Kevin, it’s October 31st. Halloween night, spooky vibes, and a Crew team that just missed its final shot at silverware.
Kevin: Spooky is right, Nicole. But let’s get into what’s happening around the league. We’ve got three things on the docket today. First, we’ll look at how division rivals like Cincinnati and St. Louis are performing, because their results directly impact Columbus’s standing. Second, we’ll break down the tactical reality of that Open Cup final loss and why the defensive line struggled against St. Louis City SC. And third, we’ll talk about the new power rankings, where teams like New England and Inter Miami are moving up, while Nashville holds firm at number one.
Nicole: So, we’re looking at the bigger picture. Columbus sits at 17th in the league with a record of 12-5-15. That ninth-place spot—the final playoff berth—is slipping away. Let’s dive into Segment One: Division Rivals and League Storylines.
Nicole: Kevin, you mentioned Cincinnati and St. Louis. Both are in the Eastern Conference. How are they doing, and what does that mean for Columbus?
Kevin: Well, Cincinnati has been hot. They beat Columbus 2-0 recently, with goals from Gonzalo Tapia—who was playing for Columbus then—and Taha Habroune scoring for the third straight game. Wait, no, Tapia scored for Columbus in that win? No, the headline says 'Gonzalo Tapia had a goal and an assist' for Columbus when they beat Cincinnati. Let me re-read that. Ah, yes. Columbus beat Cincinnati 2-0. Tapia contributed heavily there. That was their fourth win in five games. So Cincinnati is losing ground to Columbus in that specific matchup, but they’re still ahead in the standings overall.
Nicole: Right, so Columbus did beat Cincinnati. But St. Louis... that’s the elephant in the room. They won the Open Cup final against Columbus on penalties.
Kevin: Exactly. And it wasn’t just a penalty shootout loss. Roman Bürki, St. Louis’s goalkeeper, was stretchered off after a collision in that final. He was taken to the hospital. That’s a massive blow for St. Louis going forward, but for Columbus, it’s a bitter pill. They lost their first major trophy chance of the season to a club winning its first ever trophy. Meanwhile, looking at the broader league, the New England Revolution have jumped eight places in the ESPN Power Rankings as playoffs loom. That’s a team climbing fast.
Nicole: Eight places! That’s huge momentum for New England. And Inter Miami is moving up too, thanks to Messi, right?
Kevin: Yes, Inter Miami is back to winning ways, ending a winless drought. But Nashville remains Number One. They are very much the team to beat. St. Louis and Philly are hot on their heels. So the top tier is tightening. For Columbus, sitting at 17th, the gap between you and the top is wide, but the battle for 9th is getting crowded. Teams like Orlando are also surging—they beat Columbus 3-2 with a stoppage-time goal from Iván Angulo in the 89th minute. That’s a heartbreaker.
Nicole: Stoppage time again. That feels like a pattern for Columbus lately. Bad luck in the final moments. But let’s look at the bright spots. Malte Amundsen scored twice against Toronto FC. His first multi-goal game in MLS. The Crew beat Toronto 4-1. That’s a statement win.
Kevin: It is. Amundsen is having a breakout season. Along with him, Gonzalo Tapia and Brooks Lennon each added a goal in that Toronto win. Five wins in six games. That shows offensive potential. But can they sustain it without a creative midfielder? That’s the question we’ve been asking. Rudy Camacho had 74 accurate passes in the Portland game, showing stability in defense, but who is creating the chances before the attack starts?
Nicole: Camacho is reliable, sure. But he’s a center-back. We need someone in the number ten or number eight role who can unlock defenses. Let’s move to Segment Two: How the Team Stacks Up Against Those Rivals.
Nicole: Kevin, let’s talk about that Open Cup final. St. Louis won on penalties. What did you see in the match itself regarding the defensive structure?
Kevin: The defensive line was high, which is typical for modern MLS, but against St. Louis’s physical forwards, it was risky. Bürki’s injury came from a collision, likely due to the lack of cover behind the line. When that line steps up, if the ball is played over the top, you’re exposed. Columbus has struggled with transitions. In the Orlando game, Maxime Crépeau made 12 saves. That’s insane. It means Columbus gave up too many clear-cut chances. Crépeau was keeping them in it, but eventually, Angulo’s 89th-minute goal broke them.
Nicole: Twelve saves is not sustainable. You can’t rely on your goalkeeper to be the hero every week. In the Portland game, James Pantemis only made two saves. Why the difference?
Kevin: Portland dominated possession. Cole Bassett had 68 accurate passes. Felipe Mora had 3 total shots. Columbus had Wessam Abou Ali with 3 shots, and Patrick Schulte made 3 saves. So in Portland, Columbus had less defensive pressure because Portland controlled the ball more, but Columbus couldn’t create enough to win. In Orlando, Columbus had more attacking threat, hence more shots allowed, leading to Crépeau working overtime. It’s a balance issue.
Nicole: So, when you control the ball, you concede fewer chances, but you don’t score. When you attack, you concede more. It’s a catch-22. And against Cincinnati, you won 2-0. Clean sheet. What worked there?
Kevin: In the Cincinnati game, the press was tighter. Columbus forced turnovers higher up the pitch. Tapia and Habroune capitalized. That’s the blueprint. If you can press effectively and transition quickly, you can beat these rivals. But consistency is the problem. You beat Toronto 4-1, you beat Cincinnati 2-0, but you lose to Orlando and Portland. That inconsistency is why you’re 17th.
Nicole: And 17th means no playoffs. Which brings us to the outside results. The power rankings are shifting. New England is up, Miami is up, Nashville is steady. How do those movements affect Columbus’s path?
Nicole: We’ve covered a lot. The Open Cup heartbreak, the rivalry dynamics, and the pressing needs. Before we go, we need your help. This show is free because of you. If you value our deep dives into MLS tactics and player analysis, please consider supporting us. It keeps the lights on and the episodes coming daily. Just check the link in the episode description to chip in. Thank you for listening.
Kevin: Thanks, Nicole. To recap: Columbus missed the playoffs, lost the Open Cup, and needs a creative midfielder. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen. Go Crew!