ORANGEBURG, N.Y. — Sean Johnson isn’t obsessive about checking out the MLS standings and it’s not something New York City FC focuses on in their morning meetings.
But the veteran goalkeeper is aware of the way things in the Eastern Conference are playing out, as well as NYCFC’s current position as third among the top three, both in the East and in the Supporters’ Shield race.
“Atlanta’s in the driver’s seat right now,” Johnson told MLSsoccer.com after training Wednesday. “We know the importance of continuing to press on and get results because at the end of the day whether you end up in first, second or third — we’ll always aim for first place — but the difference in those places are massive when it comes to playoff implications as well.”
Head coach Dome Torrent reiterated Wednesday that the ultimate goal is MLS Cup, but his team is still chasing the Supporters’ Shield. That remains the case, despite NYCFC trailing first-place Atlanta by six points and the second-place New York Red Bulls by four points with eight games remaining.
Of course, when it comes to the playoffs, there’s a big difference from finishing second to third in the conference. The last two seasons, NYCFC finished second in the East, avoiding the Knockout Round match, but faltered twice in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
“I think it’s really important for the Supporters’ Shield, to try and be as high as we can, but obviously the most important at the end is to be in the playoffs,” defender Maxime Chanot said. “Even if we have to be third or fourth, we will be disappointed as a player and as a club because we put everything to be in first or second place, but at least we are in the playoffs and this is the most important.”
And to lock up a home game, where NYCFC is the lone MLS team still undefeated this regular season, is vital.
“That’s really important,” Chanot said. “To play at home is a big part in the playoffs. We are in the third position, we wish to be at least third, even better.”
Columbus eliminated NYCFC in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last season | USA Today Sports Images
A year ago, NYCFC were knocked out of the playoffs by a Columbus Crew SC team that gained momentum from ousting Atlanta on penalty kicks in the Knockout Round. While there’s been some personnel changes, the Crew under Gregg Berhalter are largely the same team this season as last.
“They have the same mentality as they did last year, the same principles within the system they play,” Johnson said. “They’ve become very good at the system they play. They now have kind of adapted their system to teams pressing more high, sometimes they’re a bit more direct. They have a lot of different looks they can throw at opposing teams.”
Like his predecessor, Patrick Vieira, Torrent has high praise for Crew SC, who currently sit in fourth place in the East and represent a possible playoff opponent for NYCFC. Before then, the Eastern Conference rivals collide in a big game Saturday at MAPFRE Stadium (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info).
“Columbus is a team who demands from us focus and concentration on every single pass, every single play because they play really well, maybe the best team in our conference with the ball because they are able to play two or three different ways,” Torrent said. “We have to be focused on that.”
