Picture Credits: DAZN
After opening there brand new stadium this past weekend, the Columbus Crew will travel to yet another new MLS stadium when they head down I-91 to Cincinnati and TQL Stadium. After coming from back from an early 2-0 deficit in there previous game, the Crew will look to get off to a great start, albeit missing at least 10 players from the team.
How To Watch
TV: Bally Sports Ohio
Injury/Gold Cup Report
Gold Cup
Eloy Room (Curaçao), Liam Fraser (Canada), Derrick Etienne Jr. (Haiti), Luis Diaz (Costa Rica), Gyasi Zardes (United States), Kevin Molino (Trinidad and Tobago).
Out
Josh Williams (L Ankle), Milton Valenzuela (R Thigh), Artur (R Hip), Aidan Morris (L Knee)
Questionable
Bradley Wright-Phillips (R Hip)
Transfer News
Columbus aquires forward Erik Hurtado from CF Montreal in exchange for $200,000 in General Allocation Money.
Projected Starting XI
Picture Credits: Devin Weisbarth via Lineup11
What To Watch
Depth Of The Crew Will Be Tested
With the Crew missing upwards of 10 players, the depth of the team will be heavily tested. The Crew will rely heavily on the guys still available, players that includes Darlington Nagbe and club captain Jonathan Mensah. Those two will be taxed with leading the team, and keeping everyone ready to go.
Keeping The Backline Consistent
Valenzuela is the usual starter at left-back, but he has not been very reliable because of constant injuries. Th backline should be used to playing with a different left-back, but nothing should change. If the backline can stay consistent, the Crew have a good shot at leaving TQL Stadium with all three points.
Crew Attacking Options
The Crew do not have much up front. With Bradley Wright-Phillips not 100% healthy, and having recently recalled Miguel Berry from loan and trading for Erik Hurtado, the Crew do not have many options to have in the attacking half.
Caleb Porter Will Have To Get His Tactics Spot On
I am not saying Caleb Porter has not gotten tactics right. But in this case, if the Crew are going to leave TQL Stadium with all three points, Caleb Porter will have to out coach Jaap Stamm.
Prediction
Knowing all of this, mixed in with the fact that this is a rivalry game, I believe it will be low scoring. Cincinnati has come alive as of recently, and I expect this game to end 1-1.
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