Just over a month ago, the Crew allowed Montreal to score two goals in the final six minutes and saw a win slip out of their grasp. Three days later, they got off the mat with a 3-2 win over New York City FC.

The first part of the pattern repeated itself Friday, as Columbus saw its 2-0 lead eliminated in the final five minutes of the game at Montreal, though this time the end result was a tie, not a loss. Tuesday night in Miami, the Crew hope to do exactly what they did against NYCFC − bounce back from a disastrous ending and secure three much-needed points.

Columbus Crewdoomed by red card to Luis Diaz in Montreal

Columbus is just above the playoff line in seventh place, and three points ahead of eighth-place New England with a game in hand. Miami is five points back in ninth and has lost its past three games, including 1-0 against the Crew on Aug. 31.

A strong performance in Miami would bolster Columbus' playoff chances and provide a lift after two disappointing results in a row.

"This is the rollercoaster of a season and there’s ups and downs," Crew coach Caleb Porter said. "The best teams keep a steady hand, which we have. We didn’t lose the game. We were disappointed not to get the three (points in Montreal), but we have a strong group. We have an experienced team. We bounce back quickly from these disappointments."

The win over Miami at the end of August stands somewhat in opposition to other games, as Columbus was able to defend its one-goal lead and close out the game without conceding a late goal. The Crew have dropped 17 points from winning positions this year, which ranks 21st in MLS and demonstrates that late-game defense has not been their calling card this year.

It hasn't been an issue every game — the wins over Miami and NYCFC are just two examples, among others — but it's a problematic trend for a team that still hopes to make a playoff run.

"(It's about) changing the mentality," center back Jonathan Mensah said. "Throwing bodies on the line. Taking it in the face. There’s been a few times where we’ve done that, so we need to be consistent with that. Obviously, we wouldn’t be talking (about this) right now if that was the case (in Montreal), where you see guys exhausted, bodies pushing to rescue a shot, block a shot. We’ll do a better job of that and obviously we’ll improve for our next game."

Playing Miami so recently is a benefit for the Crew on a shorter turnaround, as they're able to use the film from that game and the scout they did on Miami before the previous matchup to inform their preparation.

"It’s an important match," Porter said. "But (12) days ago, we beat this team. I’m confident in my group. Won’t be easy. There’s a lot to look at from the game (12) days ago, which is nice. It was our shortest scout of the year because we just played this team."

Mensah rattled off a list of areas where the Crew can improve.

"We can keep the ball better," Mensah said. "We can make them chase us. Obviously, we all know (Gonzalo) Higuain doesn’t want to do that, so the more we make them run, him and (Alejandro) Pozuelo, it will better for us. Take our chances. We won just 1-0 against them. We had a few chances where we could go up 2-0 or 3-0. But also, be aware of their counter attacks. They’ve got some quick players going forward (like DeAndre) Yedlin and (Ariel) Lassiter. Our rush defense needs to be a lot better."

Porter said he expects this game to be "do or die" for Miami. But it's equally important for the Crew.

"We’ve approached every game in the last several as if it’s a cup final, so it’s no different," Porter said. "We go take three points (and) we’re sitting in fifth place, potentially two points out of New York (City FC in fourth) with a game in hand. ... We know what they do. We know how they play. We’ve got to just go and get the win."

Record: 9-6-14, 41 pts., 7th in East

Projected Starting XI (4-3-3):

Eloy Room (goalkeeper), Will Sands (left back), Miloš Degenek (center back), Jonathan Mensah (center back), Steven Moreira (right back), Artur (midfielder), Darlington Nagbe (midfielder), Aidan Morris (midfielder), Derrick Etienne Jr. (forward), Lucas Zelarayan (forward), Cucho Hernandez (forward).

Injured: Pedro Santos (right thigh, questionable)

Suspended: Luis Diaz (red card)

What to watch: Diaz scored the lone goal against Miami two weeks ago but will be suspended for the rematch after receiving a red card Friday. Though Diaz's speed will be missed, Columbus also played a 4-3-3 against Miami last time after Zelarayan was a late scratch, and Porter said he thought the formation was "a really good shape for us in playing them."

Record: 10-13-6, 36 pts., 9th in East 

Previous Starting XI (4-2-3-1): 

Nick Marsman (goalkeeper), Kieran Gibbs (left back), Ryan Sailor (center back), Chris McVey (center back), DeAndre Yedlin (right back), Jean Mota (central midfielder), Gregore (central midfielder), Robert Taylor (left winger), Alejandro Pozuelo (attacking midfielder), Indiana Vassilev (right winger), Gonzalo Higuaín (forward). 

Columbus 1, Inter Miami 1: Miami is in a downward spiral with three straight losses, but a Tuesday night home game presents a chance — possibly its last — to get back on track. The Crew are ready to get the sour taste out of their mouths from Friday's tie in Montreal, but Miami will bring enough intensity that the end result is yet another draw for Columbus.

When: 8 p.m. TuesdayTV:  Bally Sports OhioRadio: 97.1 FM