Reeling from their Campeonato Cup heartbreak, Columbus Crew return to action in MLS when they journey to Audi Field to take on DC United on Saturday.
Having failed to win the last six meetings between the two teams, the Black-and-Red will head into the weekend looking to get one over the visitors and keep their playoff qualification dream alive.
Match preview
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DC United suffered a fresh setback in their quest for a top-seven finish in the East as they suffered a humbling 4-0 defeat at the hands of Philadelphia Union when the sides met last Sunday.
In a one-sided affair at Subaru Park, goals from Mikael Uhre, Tai Baribo and a brace from Hungarian forward Daniel Gazdag fired Philadelphia to their ninth league win of the campaign.
Before that, the Black-and-Red were on a three-game unbeaten run, picking up back-to-back away victories over Toronto FC and Chicago Fire before playing out a 1-1 draw with New York City FC on September 15, and had lost just one of their previous six league outings.
Troy Lesesne's men have now lost 13 of their 30 MLS matches so far while picking up eight wins and nine draws to collect 33 points and sit 13th in the Eastern Conference table, three points behind ninth-placed Philadelphia in the second of the two coveted play-in spots.
While DC United will be looking to return to winning ways and get their playoff push back on track, they will have to be at their best this weekend as they have failed to win nine of their last 10 home games across all competitions, losing six and claiming three draws since the start of May.
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Columbus Crew, on the other hand, were denied their second piece of silverware this year on Wednesday night when they were beaten on penalties by Mexican powerhouse Club America in the Campeones Cup.
Following a goalless first half at the Lower.com Stadium, Victor Davilla and Malte Amundsen scored for either side after the break to take the tie to penalties, where the Liga MX side picked up a 5-4 victory after 14 spot kicks between the teams.
Prior to that, Columbus Crew were unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 outings across all competitions — claiming one draw and 11 wins — a run which saw them storm to the Leagues Cup title courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Los Angeles FC in the final on August 26.
The Crew now return to action in MLS where they are on a run of five wins and one draw from their last seven games and will be hoping for a strong end to the regular season as they eye their first Eastern Conference crown since 2009.
Wilfried Nancy's men have picked up 56 points from their 29 MLS matches so far to sit third in the conference standings, level on points with second-placed FC Cincinnati and eight points off leaders Inter Miami.
Columbus Crew, with one game in hand, are well aware that the next few weeks could define their season and will head into Saturday's game in search of a morale-boosting result ahead of their highly-anticipated clash with Inter Miami on October 3.
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Team News
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DC United will have to cope without Cristain Dajome and 27-year-old defender Aaron Herrera, who will sit out Saturday's game due to suspension after both crossing the yellow card threshold with their bookings against Philadelphia last weekend.
On the injury front, the Black-and-Red remain without several players down the spine of the team as Matai Akinmboni (ankle), Conner Antley (knee) and Jackson Hopkins (ankle) continue their spells on the sidelines.
Austrian defender David Schnegg has missed the last four games through a calf problem and is out of contention for the hosts while Russell Canouse is a doubt having recently sustained an abdominal strain.
Meanwhile, Columbus Crew will take to the pitch without the services of veteran goalkeeper Evan Bush, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a severe arm injury back in April.
With 15 league goals to his name, Cucho Hernandez is currently seventh in the Golden Boot race, four goals behind DC United's Cristian Benteke at the top of the chart and both players will be looking to add to their tally this weekend.
DC United possible starting lineup:
Bono; Tubbs, Mcvey, Peltola; Santos, Klich, Ku-DiPietro, Rodriguez; Pirani, Stroud, Benteke
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Cheberko, Amundsen; Farsi, Matan, Nagbe, Arfsten; Jackson, Rossi, Ramirez
We say: DC United 1-2 Columbus Crew
Off the back of their Campeones Cup defeat, Columbus Crew will head into the weekend looking to quickly find their feet and move without touching distance of Inter Miami.
While we expect DC United to put up a fight, the Crew have been tough to crack their travels and we fancy them to come away with a narrow victory here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
