Picture Credits: Columbus Crew Twitter
Columbus is coming off a game in which they would love to forget, as they left Yankee Stadium in the Bronx losing 4-1 to New York City Football Club. They welcome D.C United to Lower.com Field for the first time, and their second meeting this season.
Previous Meeting
In their only previous meeting this season, the Crew came out on top against D.C United by a final score of 3-1 on May 8th. D.C United had two own goals, which would help propel the Crew to all three points. The goalscorer for the Crew was Lucas Zelerayan, and the goalscorer for D.C. United was Ola Kamara, a former Crew player.
Injury Report
Out: Artur, Perry Kitchen, Vito Wormgoor, Aidan Morris
Questionable: Gyasi Zardes, Josh Williams
Projected Starting XI
Picture Credits: Devin Weisbarth via Lineup11
Keys To The Game
Defense Is Going To Have To Be Improved
Friday night was the worst defensive performance from the Columbus Crew this season. Wether it was the pitch or just an off day, the Crew need to be much improved defensively when they welcome D.C. United to Lower.com Field Wednesday Night. Jonathan Mensah has been a fantastic leader for the Crew, and his leadership will be on display in order to get the Crew back on track.
Having Gyasi Back Will Help
Wether he starts or gets minutes off the bench, getting Gyasi Zardes back from international duty will be a huge positive. Zardes, who helped the USMNT win the CONCACAF Gold Cup Sunday Night, returns to Columbus after not playing for the Crew for nearly a month. Gyasi will help lighten the offensive load for Lucas Zelerayan in the final third.
Getting The Wingers On The Scoresheet
Caleb Porter has been saying it for a while now. If the Crew want to have a chance to repeat as MLS Cup Champions, the wingers are going to have to start scoring goals. Kevin Molino and Luis Diaz have to start getting goals from the wide positions.
Prediction
In the previous match between these two teams, the Crew came out on top by a score of 3-1. I believe the Crew will again beat D.C United, and get back to winning ways. The Crew will leave with all three points, and a final score of 2-0.