SoccerAmerica.com has Crew SC in it's highest Power Rankings position yet after three consecutive wins and two shutouts in that span. Columbus dished both the Portland Timbers (Week 4) and Orlando City SC (Week 5) their first losses of 2017 at MAPFRE Stadium.
Justin Meram has scored three goals in that two-game stretch and helped propel Crew SC into second place in SoccerAmerica.com's rankings and first place in the Eastern Conference standings.
2. COLUMBUS (3-1-1), 5. Fueled by Justin Meram, Crew SC won its third straight game. Meram scored twice to up his take in 2017 to three goals and two assists. Strong games in central midfield by Wil Trapp and Artur, whose ball over the top set up the first goal for Meram, helped take pressure of Federico Higuain, who played through a sprained ankle and assisted on the clinching goal.
Crew SC next visits the Chicago Fire on April 8 in Bridgeview for a 2 p.m. showdown. The two teams have met once already this season, resulting in a 1-1 draw at MAPFRE Stadium in the season opener on March 4. The game can be viewed on ABC-6, Spectrum Sports, and BCSN2 in Ohio or nationally via MLS Live.
The Black & Gold then return home for the first leg of the Trillium Cup against Toronto FC on April 15 for an 8 p.m. kickoff at MAPFRE Stadium.