Stephen Glass believes he knows exactly what Atlanta United can expecting from a "hurting" Columbus Crew team on Decision Day.
Atlanta visit Columbus on Sunday in a game where both teams have something on the line.
For the Five Stripes, that is a potential playoff place, as Glass' side require a favour elsewhere even if they can beat the Crew.
The home side are looking to secure a top-four finish in the East and a home playoff, meanwhile, having lost to Orlando City in midweek.
Atlanta's need is surely greater, but Glass is wary of a Columbus response.
"They're fairly consistent in the way they play in the same way that Orlando have consistently played a similar pattern every single game that we've faced them," interim Atlanta coach Glass said.
"We believe that we'll know what we're up against. We know who their best players are and we know that they're coming in hurting from a game midweek against Orlando where they'll feel they should have won."
The game in Ohio will dominate Glass' focus, despite the need for help from their rivals as they start the day outside the top 10.
"The only thing we can control this weekend is that we go and do everything we can to win the game and see where that gets us," Glass added.
The Crew will hope to have recovered in time to take on Atlanta, with their coach Caleb Porter recognizing elements of fatigue against Orlando.
"This isn't an excuse at all, but I do think a lot of it is attributed to fatigue, mental fatigue," he said.
"Some of the decisions - these are cognitive things that happen - aren't really like our team."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Columbus Crew - Pedro Santos
Santos could should little of the blame for the defeat to Orlando, creating three chances including Harrison Afful's goal. That was the winger's first goal involvement in four games, but he should be as confident as any Crew player heading into Sunday.
Atlanta United - Marcelino Moreno
It came from the penalty spot, but new DP Moreno's first Atlanta goal arrived in his fifth appearance last time out against FC Cincinnati. Following on from an assist in the previous match, the Five Stripes will hope this form develops into a big finish to the season.
KEY OPTA FACTS
- Columbus have won their past three matches against Atlanta United, including a 1-0 victory during the MLS is Back tournament. The Crew had lost all five meetings with the Five Stripes prior to this winning run.
- The Crew's 2-1 loss to Orlando City on Wednesday was their fifth defeat in nine games (W2 D2) after losing just one of their first 13 league games this season (W9 D3). Columbus have continued their dominant play at home, though, winning eight of nine (L1) at MAPFRE Stadium in 2020.
- Atlanta ended a six-match winless run with a 2-0 victory against FC Cincinnati on Sunday. The Five Stripes' only winning streak of the season came in their first two games of the campaign in March against Nashville and Cincinnati.
- The Crew have struggled out of the gate this season as they are one of only two teams (also Cincinnati) yet to score in the opening 15 minutes of a match. The start of the second half has been a different story for Columbus, who have 10 goals in the 15 minutes after half-time, tied with Seattle Sounders for the most in MLS.
- Atlanta have scored 20 goals in the 21 matches they have played without Josef Martinez this season. Martinez alone scored 23 goals in his final 21 matches (including playoffs) in the 2019 MLS season.
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