Abou Ali Shines as Columbus Faces NYCFC in Playoff Clash

New York City FC will face the Columbus Crew in a game that could significantly impact the Eastern Conference playoff standings. The teams are separated by just two points, with Columbus in fifth place at 49 points and NYCFC following closely in seventh, with a game in hand.

Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy is highlighting striker Wessam Abou Ali. The 26-year-old, who came from Al Ahly in June, scored his first MLS goal in last weekend’s thrilling 5-4 match against Atlanta United. Despite this success, Nancy emphasized the need for the forward to show more consistency, especially with top scorer Diego Rossi injured during the same game.

“I’m glad he scored, but I hope he continues to do so because he has the talent,” Nancy said. “His first start was decent, but not enough. Against Atlanta, he contributed well both defensively and offensively, which was positive.”

For NYCFC, Alonso Martinez is a key player. The Costa Rican has scored seven goals in his last seven matches, bringing his total to 15 for the season. He joins David Villa as the only players in club history with multiple seasons of 15 goals or more. His current form makes the upcoming match at Citi Field even more interesting.

Columbus has a strong record against NYCFC, remaining unbeaten in their last seven meetings across all competitions. However, their defensive issues against Atlanta were significant, allowing 3.78 expected goals after leading 5-0 within the first 40 minutes.

NYCFC has a strong home record, winning 13 of their last 20 matches in all competitions and have not lost consecutive home games since May 2023. Both teams have three wins in their last six matches, and with little separating them, a draw seems likely, though the playoff implications will add urgency to the game.