Crew accustomed to being playoff underdog

Crew SC begins the Major League Soccer playoffs Thursday against a D.C. United team that went 7-0-3 in its final 10 regularseason games to surge into the No. 4 position in the Eastern Conference.

Powered by summer acquisition Wayne Rooney and the resurgence of attacking midfielder Luciano Acosta, D.C. has not lost at home since Aug. 29. In its past five games at Audi Field, United outscored opponents 12-2.

D.C.’s recent form is enough for Crew SC (3-4-3 in its last 10) to widely be considered an underdog Thursday.

Does all of that sound familiar? It sure does to Crew winger Justin Meram, who is set to appear in his 13th playoff game.

“I mean, nothing’s Crew SC at DC United When: 7 p.m. Thursday TV: Fox Sports 1 Radio: WWCD-FM (102.5) changed eight years here. Nothing really changes,” Meram said. “The headlines pretty much stay the same, whoever we face, whenever we get into the playoffs. Last year, we were the fifth seed as well. Similar task at hand and I’m excited.”

Last year, Columbus played in the knockout round at Atlanta United, which finished second in MLS in scoring in 2017. An aggressive game plan for the Crew and a few lucky bounces for both teams set up a penalty shootout after 120 scoreless minutes. Adam Jahn buried the final penalty kick to send the Crew into the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Such road triumphs, however, have been the exception rather than the rule. In 20 knockout-round games since 2011, the home team has advanced on 15 occasions. Still, Crew keeper Zack Steffen said, the Crew will embrace its odds.

“At this time of the year, it’s the best. Upsets are great and playing against teams who want to play and teams who are doing well is what this time of year” is about, he said. “It’s gonna be a great night, good weather and a good opponent.”

At 2-2-1 in its past five games, Crew SC does not have as much momentum as it did entering the 2017 playoffs, when it went unbeaten in its last 10 regular-season games, including 3-0-2 in its last five.

Columbus also might be short on wins over playoff teams — its most recent was Sept. 1 over New York City FC — but not on belief. On Thursday, Crew SC might start as many as eight or nine players from its 2017 playoff game in Atlanta.

“We’ll keep our heads down, we’ll keep working and come up with a plan to give D.C. some problems,” coach Gregg Berhalter said.

Crew SC will need to cause more than a few problems Thursday to fluster a D.C. team that went 11-2-4 in the second half of the season.

“They haven’t played us during that streak, though,” Meram said. “So, we’ll see Thursday night.”