The last Eastern Conference Semifinal ticket will get punched Sunday night, when Columbus Crew (No. 3) host Atlanta United (No. 6) in Match 3 of their Round One Best-of-3 series.
How to watch and stream
When
- Sunday, November 12 | 7 pm ET/4 pm PT
Where
- Lower.com Field | Columbus, Ohio
Round One Best-of-3 series
- Match 1: 2-0 Columbus win (Nov. 1)
- Match 2: 4-2 Atlanta win (Nov. 7)
After Columbus and Atlanta won their home matches, the league's highest-scoring teams return to Lower.com Field – and whoever emerges will visit Orlando City SC (No. 2) in the next stage of the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
If a Round One Best-of-3 series match is tied after regulation time (90 minutes), a penalty kick shootout will determine the winner (no extra time). Both clubs are chasing a berth in MLS Cup presented by Audi on Dec. 9.
- Seed: 3rd in the Eastern Conference
- Record: 57 points (16W-9L-9D)
Columbus got a Cucho Hernández special in Match 1, as the Colombian striker scored both goals in their 2-0 victory. And while Cucho scored yet again in the Crew's Match 2 setback, defensive frailties reared their head.
Columbus, in their first season under head coach Wilfried Nancy, have a clearly-defined tactical approach. Will fans be treated to the version that fueled a 12W-1L-4D home record in the regular season?
- Seed: 6th in the Eastern Conference
- Record: 51 points (13W-9L-12D)
Surprise, surprise: Atlanta, with Thiago Almada back from red-card suspension in Match 2, were ruthless in the final third. The 2023 MLS Young Player of the Year rounded out the 4-2 scoreline with a gorgeous chipped finish and striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, the 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year, had 1g/2a.
The Five Stripes weren't nearly as dangerous away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2023, going just 3W-6L-8D. But on their day, few teams can keep pace with head coach Gonzalo Pineda's group.
