New England Revolution, Columbus Crew are MLS Playoff Underdogs

By Jackee Arce @knackeredwriter on October 31, 2014

When people talk about the MLS Eastern Conference, the New England Revolution and Columbus Crew are rarely rated among the better clubs in the conference. Yet, both clubs have made it to the playoffs this season, and they’ve even avoided the knockout round. The Revs and Crew are set to face each other in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, before the winner moves on to face the winner of DC United and the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference Championship.

If last year, someone had said that the Red Bulls and Sporting KC would be the ones to face each other in the knockout round while the Revs and Crews patiently wait their turn to play in the playoffs, it would seem improbable. The beautiful thing about soccer is that constant shifts and changes in lineups — such as the Revs picking up Jermaine Jones — can make a world of a difference. Either team has the chance to take it all.

The Revs and Crew finished in second and third, respectively, in the Eastern Conference. Both teams managed to have strong seasons that have brought them this far. The Revs were only ahead of the Crew by three points with 55 at the end of the season, which is the equivalent of one match. However, had they been playing in the Western Conference, based on points, they would be in fourth and fifth, not second and third. The Western Conference had better clubs this season, which will make the Final harder for the Eastern Conference Championship winner.

The lead the Revs ended on doesn’t necessarily make them a better club than the Crew. The Crew and Revs played each other two times this season, and in both matches, the Crew won by one goal. This could be bad news for the Revs. However, because playoff matches are obviously more important than regular season matches, they put more pressure on clubs to succeed. Both clubs have an equal chance to move ahead to the Eastern Conference Championship, but it’s all about which club wants it more.

The Revs have never won an MLS Cup, and the Crew have only won it once. Either club would be the underdog for the championship regardless of which team makes it there. That being said, there is no better story in sports than watching the underdog shock the world and win the championship.

Jackee Arce is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @knackeredwriter, like her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.

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