“I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope. For hope would be hope for the wrong thing.” –T.S. Eliot

The great playwright and poet was, in all likelihood, not referring to sports in general and soccer in particular with the above quote. But he touches upon a human emotion that is part and parcel of a sports fan’s experience. The expectation of future improvement from one’s favorite team has always been an integral part of fandom.

In most North American team sports, the race for the playoffs provides its own unique outlet for the hopes of teams’ fans. All that has to be done is clinch a postseason berth and there’s still a chance at championship glory. It’s no different in Major League Soccer.

Hope, the Number Seven and Columbus Crew SC’s 2016 Playoff Prospects

For fans of Columbus Crew SC, the 2016 season has been trying to say the least. It began with so much promise after the club hosted MLS Cup last year and returned the core of that Eastern Conference championship winning side. But with 65 percent of the season complete, the Black and Gold‘s current predicament makes it hard for many fans to be optimistic that the playoffs are possible at this point.

Here’s the current situation. Through 22 games, Columbus has the second worst point total in both the conference and league as a whole (20). They’ve only managed to win a mere three games all year which is dead last in MLS. Their last victory came on May 28th and the club still has yet to win on the road. In fact, their 0-7-3 mark away from MAPFRE Stadium is the worst start on the road to a season in club history.

It’s no surprise, then, that dread rather than hope might envelop fans’ minds heading into Saturday’s road game at New England. Memories of the club’s 3-1 defeat to the Revs on July 9th certainly remain vivid. In that first meeting between the teams since Kei Kamara‘s infamous departure, inability to finish chances and shambolic defensive miscues proved costly.

Lucky Number Seven?

With the club three spots away from safety in the East at this point in the season, it can appear at first glance that things are bordering on the hopeless. But let’s be honest. The few teams Crew SC is currently chasing in the middle of the pack within the conference have, for all intents and purposes, been atrocious. It’s for that reason Columbus is still in it despite their 3-8-11 record.

A certain number has followed Crew SC over the past month. In certain respects, it reflects the mediocrity both on its part and that of other teams at or below the red line in the Eastern Conference. It’s also the source of the small but tangible amount of hope that remains from a season that seems to be hanging by a thread at this point. That number is seven.

Why is that number significant? Because despite the continued inability to get three points out of a game, the distance from the red line has remained seven points since mid-July. That remains the case heading into this weekend’s action. D.C. United is currently sixth in the East with 27 points, while Crew SC is three spots behind them on 20 points.

Is Columbus the beneficiary of MLS parity? Perhaps, but the fact remains that DC, Orlando City and New England are a combined 3-5-7 since July 16th. All three teams have occupied that last Eastern Conference playoff spot. But none have been able to establish any meaningful distance in the standings. As a result, the seven-point gap between Crew SC and sixth place has remained.

Another element that keeps the hope gauge partially filled is the fact that Crew SC has played the fewest matches played of all teams in the league. The club has games in hand on everyone including two on the Revs heading into Saturday’s crucial match. But the road showdown with New England also signifies the start of a three-game stretch in seven days with a double game week looming.

A Must-Win Saturday for Hope to Remain

To say that 2016 hasn’t exactly gone to plan for the Black and Gold would be stating the obvious. The fact the club has won once in their last 15 games dating back to April 30th is about as clear cut an example. Yet somehow, someway, Columbus is still alive for the playoffs. A variety of factors have contributed and they all have left the “glass half-full” patrol among the fanbase resolutely hopeful.

But in order for that sentiment to remain relevant, three points are pretty much necessary against New England. Crew SC manager Gregg Berhalter emphasized that notion in comments to reporters after training this week. If ever there was a time for this team to finally register a win on the road, it’s this weekend.

This is particularly the case considering the opponent. New England has arguably the most porous defenses in the league as evidenced by their league worst 44 goals against. The Revs are 1-3-1 over their last five and have managed just two goals in that span.

Acquiring Kamara from Columbus hasn’t necessarily meant fireworks in the final third. He has four goals since joining the team. In comparison, Ola Kamara has ten for Crew SC since reassuming Kei’s role as center forward for the club.

And despite another draw at home last week against New York City FC, there are signs Crew SC are due to break out from their finishing woes. The team finally got dynamic play from their wide players, with Ethan Finlay and Justin Meram both appearing on the score sheet in the 3-3 draw. For Finlay, he tallied a brace which is made all the more impressive considering he had a single goal all year beforehand.

Much has been written and discussed about hope throughout human history. It’s something that transcends sports even though the two are often intertwined, especially when it comes to any sort of playoff format. With 12 teams qualifying for the postseason in MLS, it’s no surprise that hope springs eternal for most teams (well, unless you’re the Chicago Fire or Houston Dynamo).

In the case of Crew SC, it’s hoped that Saturday will signify the start of a clawback out of non-contention. But it will likely only be possible if they escape Foxborough with three points. Anything else and this lengthy period of time seven points back will quickly morph from a blessing into a curse.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Crew SC Communications