Wilfried Nancy commended his Columbus Crew players for their commitment to the cause after a hectic schedule since their Leagues Cup victory, continuing with the visit of the Seattle Sounders in the MLS this weekend.

Since beating Los Angeles FC in the final at the end of last month, the Crew returned to league action with back-to-back wins, the latest of which came in dramatic fashion against New York City FC.

Derrick Jones and Jacen Russell-Rowe struck twice in injury time to seal a 4-2 win on home soil, keeping them within touching distance of FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami at the top of the Eastern Conference table.

And while head coach Nancy was not overly satisfied with his side’s most recent display, he acknowledged the physical impact has taken its toll on his players.

“This is another way to win. I'm really proud of that,” Nancy said. “This is what I told my players, I said, ‘Yes, I was frustrated a bit by the fact that we didn't control the game the way we wanted to do it, but we found ways to score goals.’

“Knowing that this is our seventh game in 21 days, I cannot be frustrated. This is impossible for me. I have to respect what they did.

“Yes, it's been a long time that we haven't had the possession [over the opponent]. In first half, they had the possession for 56 or 57 percent. We suffered with that, but again, we were able to go back and to be together and to be clinical. This is what we did.”

Seattle, meanwhile, lost to Portland Timbers last time out, three days after being knocked out of the US Open Cup at the semi-final stage by LAFC.

The Sounders remain on course to reach the playoffs this season, currently occupying eighth place in the Western Conference table, six points ahead of Austin FC, down in 10th.

Head coach Brian Schmetzer believes his squad’s latest setback was part of their journey this campaign and is looking forward to seeing his players bounce back against the Leagues Cup winners.

“We have got seven games left and that is life,” Schmetzer started. “When there is adversity, you are going to have to get up and pick yourself back up.

“We have a tough road trip in Columbus, then we have three home games. Then we have more road games, and we end with Portland at the end of the year.

“There is still everything to play for.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Columbus Crew – Diego Rossi

Rossi has 49 goals and 25 assists in regular-season MLS play after recording one of each on Saturday against NYCFC.

Since his MLS debut in 2019, only six players have totalled at least 50 goals and 25 assists in regular season play.

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Rusnak created six chances during Seattle’s defeat to Portland last time out, the most by any Sounders player in a regular season match in over three years.

The last player to achieve that total was Joao Paulo against Atlanta United in May 2021.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN

The Crew have lost only one of their last 38 home matches in all competitions (W26 D11) dating back to May 2023. 17 of those wins in that time have been by a margin of at least two goals.

However, the Sounders have won five of their eight regular season visits to Columbus (D1 L2). Seattle (.625) has the highest road winning percentage of any MLS team that has played at Columbus eight or more times.

But they suffered consecutive defeats in all competitions for the first time since April last time out. It’s been over two years since the Sounders lost three straight games in all competitions (July 2022).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Columbus Crew – 64.1%

Draw – 19.1%

Seattle Sounders – 16.7%