Columbus Crew will be seeking the perfect response to their midweek disappointment when they welcome a struggling DC United side to Lower.com Field for round 24 of Major League Soccer action.

The hosts suffered a bruising 3-0 defeat away to Nashville SC last time out, while the Black-and-Red arrive without a win in each of their last seven matches across all competitions.

Match preview

For a side that had won four of their last five games (D1), Columbus would have fancied their chances in Tennessee — perhaps even imagined a leap to the summit of the Eastern Conference — but instead, they returned empty-handed.

That defeat leaves Wilfried Nancy’s side fourth in the standings with 41 points from 23 matches and further underlined the defensive cracks that have persisted all season.

The Crew have now conceded 32 goals in the league and managed just four clean sheets, although their attacking sharpness has been more reliable with 38 scored.

That said, Columbus have enjoyed a solid record at Lower.com this season, claiming eight wins from 15 matches in MLS (D4, L3), including victories in each of their last three games at the ground.

With this explosive run on their turf and a favourable head-to-head — having won two and drawn one of the last three home meetings with DC — the hosts have every reason to approach this clash brimming with confidence.

The same cannot be said for visitors, who have endured a rotten stretch of form, losing five of their last six MLS outings (D1) and desperately clinging to fading hopes of a turnaround.

The Eagles look set to miss out on the League Cup for a sixth consecutive season, with their current position just one place off the foot of the Eastern Conference table.

They have taken only 19 points from 23 matches — a staggering 13-point gap from the final wild-card spot — and a sharp reversal in fortunes is needed if DC are to avoid yet another forgettable campaign.

Troy Lesesne was relieved of his duties on July 10 following the US Open Cup defeat to Nashville, but interim boss Kevin Flanagan has been unable to steady the ship, losing both of his games, including a 2-1 reverse at Charlotte FC in midweek. 

That result marked a fourth consecutive away loss in all competitions for DC, bringing their top-flight record on the road to seven defeats from 11 outings, so even a point here would be a welcome parting gift for Flanagan, who is expected to make way imminently.

On Wednesday, Rene Weiler was named the club’s new head coach and will officially take charge once he secures a United States work permit.

Columbus Crew MLS form:

DC United MLS form:

DC United form (all competitions):

Team News

The hosts are still expected to be without defender Malte Amundsen due to a knee injury, while Mohamed Farsi remains a doubt with a back issue and could sit out a third straight match.

Rudy Camacho and Nicholas Hagen will also play no part, with both sidelined by thigh problems and not expected to feature this weekend.

Columbus’s leading scorer, Diego Rossi, with 11 MLS goals to his name this season, will look to rediscover his finishing touch after drawing a blank last time out.

The midweek loss in Charlotte came at a further cost for DC United, with Gabriel Pirani forced off late on despite netting their only goal of the match.

Pirani will be assessed ahead of this weekend’s fixture and could join a growing injury list that already includes Christian Benteke, Lukas MacNaughton, Jacob Murrell and Kristian Fletcher.

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:

Schulte; Moreira, Zawadzki, Cherberko; Aliyu, Nagbe, Chambost, Arfsten; Rossi, Gazdag; Russell-Rowe

DC United possible starting lineup:

Barraza; Schnegg, Rowles, Bartlett, Herrera; Enow; Peglow, Pirani, Servania, Kijima; Badji

We say: Columbus Crew 3-1 DC United

Columbus will be eager to bounce back from their heavy defeat, and welcoming a side that has been abysmal on the road presents the perfect opportunity, though given DC have found the net in each of their last three away games, they might still grab a consolation here.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi

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