Crew intent on using momentum from Cup victory

It seemed improbable after a 1-0 loss at Inter Miami that the Crew would come close to sniffing a win against Liga MX champion Cruz Azul in the Campeones Cup less than three weeks later.

All of a sudden, the Crew have found their mojo again.

They’re unbeaten in their past four games in all competitions with three wins, including a convincing 2-0 win Wednesday at Lower.com Field to claim the club’s second trophy in coach Caleb Porter’s three years in Columbus.

The Crew were challenged with balancing two important league games and a midweek title game in a nine-day span while chasing for a spot in the playoffs.

With wins in those first two matches, there’s an unwavering confidence the Crew intends to carry into Sunday’s game at Philadelphia and through their pursuit of overcoming a five-point deficit to make the playoffs.

“We know the margins are going to be very slim in these last seven games,” Porter said. “Going into the week, we talked about every game being a cup final, and that’s the way we’re going to approach it.”

As much as defeating Cruz Azul was a cause for celebration, the stakes are perhaps even higher on Sunday. The

Crew (9-11-7, 34 points) can’t afford a loss to Philadelphia (10-7-9, 39 points) and expect to catch the Union, who are tied in points with four teams with one less game played than the Crew.

Porter started pretty much his top group against Cruz Azul, minus striker Gyasi Zardes. Porter said Zardes should be available against Philadelphia after resting a tight hamstring.

Starting goalkeeper Eloy Room and right back Harrison Afful are questionable. If Afful can’t go, newly acquired French right back Steven Moreira should get the start after playing 58 minutes in his Crew debut on Wednesday.

If Room is unable to start, it won’t be a concern for the Crew. Reserve goalkeeper Evan Bush, a longtime starter in Major League Soccer, has been excellent.

The Union are 1-0-1 against the Crew this season with one goal scored in the two games. Starting midfielder Jose Martinez will miss the match with a one-game suspension due to yellow card accumulation.

JOSHUA A. BICKEL/COLUMBUS DISPATCH Columbus Crew midfielder Lucas Zelarayan (10) celebrates with defender Jonathan Mensah (4) after a Cruz Azul own goal during the first half of the Campeones Cup between the Columbus Crew and Cruz Azul on Wednesday at Lower.com Field in Columbus.