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Columbus Crew
Major League Soccer
May 18, 2023 at 12.30am UK
MAPFRE Stadium
LA Galaxy

Columbus Crew
2 - 0
LA Galaxy

Zelarayan (25'), Amundsen (43')
Ramirez (46')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Puig (82'), Hernandez (88')

Preview: Columbus Crew vs. Los Angeles Galaxy - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Major League Soccer clash between Columbus Crew and Los Angeles Galaxy, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Columbus Crew take on Los Angeles Galaxy at Lower.com Field on Wednesday evening, in the latest round of MLS fixtures.

The hosts are eighth in the Eastern Conference, having collected 15 points from 11 games, while the visitors are struggling in the Western Conference, currently sitting in 13th place.


Match preview

Columbus Crew SC head coach Wilfried Nancy reacts to a play against the Philadelphia Union during the first half at Subaru Park on February 25, 2023© Reuters

Columbus Crew have made a solid, if not spectacular, start to the MLS season, sitting just inside the playoff places, but they have started to struggle considerably in recent weeks.

The Crew are now without a win in their last four MLS games, losing two and drawing two, although they have impressed in the US Open Cup, advancing to the round of 16 after a recent 5-1 win against Loudoun United.

Wilfried Nancy's side have been very impressive on the front foot up to this point, which was epitomised in the victory against Loudoun, scoring 21 goals in the MLS so far this season, the joint-highest amount of any team.

The Black & Gold will be very disappointed to have thrown away a two-goal lead at home against Orlando City last time out, with Duncan McGuire netting a stoppage-time equaliser for the visitors.

As such, the Crew will be eager to get back on track with a victory on Wednesday night, against a side they have never lost against on home soil.

LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney walks onto the field before the match on April 9, 2023© Reuters

Indeed, LA Galaxy have often struggled in their trips to Ohio, and their away record in general has been very poor this season, collecting just two points in five matches on the road, only managing to score one goal.

The Galaxy have won just two of their 11 MLS matches this season, which leaves them three points outside the playoffs, although it is still early days in the campaign, and they have plenty of time to turn their form around.

Greg Venney's side have been showing signs of improvement in recent weeks, winning their last two games on the spin in all competitions, most recently defeating San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 in the MLS, courtesy of goals from Martin Caceres and Dejan Joveljic.

It was a dominant performance from LA Galaxy, having more than double the number of shots than the Earthquakes, who are currently in fifth place, indicating they do have the quality to compete against some of the better sides in the MLS.

Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:

Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer form:


Team News

Columbus Crew Head Coach Wilfried Nancy looks on on April 1, 2023© Reuters

Columbus Crew have a number of players missing through injury, including Will Sands, who has suffered a season-ending ACL injury, meaning Yaw Yeboah should get the nod on Wednesday night, in a left-wing back position.

Nancy has most often utilised a 3-4-3 formation, with Milos Degenek playing at centre-back, but the Australian centre-back is also unavailable due to injury, so Gustavo Vallecilla, Philip Quinton and Steven Moreira should keep their places in the team.

As for LA Galaxy, Douglas Costa is a long-term absentee, suffering with a muscle issue, and the Brazilian midfielder is still sidelined, while defender Chris Mavinga also remains unavailable for selection.

Joveljic scored just minutes after being brought on as a substitute last time out, and the striker could be rewarded with a start, partnering Javier Hernandez in attack for the Galaxy.


Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Quinton, Vallecilla; Farsi, Morris, Nagbe, Yeboah; Matan, Cucho, Russell-Rowe

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Calegari, Caceres, Neal, Aude; Boyd, Delgado, Brugman, Rodriguez; Hernandez, Joveljic


SM words green background

We say: Columbus Crew 3-1 Los Angeles Galaxy

Columbus Crew have not been at their best recently, but LA Galaxy have made a very slow start to the MLS season, particularly away from home, scoring just once on their travels.

As such, we expect the hosts to emerge with a fairly comfortable victory in what could be a high-scoring game, given their fantastic record in front of goal.

How to watch

You can watch Columbus Crew vs. Los Angeles Galaxy and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.

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

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:curl


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Game History

How you voted: Columbus Crew vs LA Galaxy

Columbus Crew
44.4%
Draw
22.2%
Los Angeles Galaxy
33.3%
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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