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Columbus Crew
Major League Soccer
Mar 5, 2023 at 12.30am UK
MAPFRE Stadium
DC United

Columbus Crew
2 - 0
DC United

Zelarayan (10', 44')
Yeboah (65')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Najar (59'), Klich (84')

Preview: Columbus Crew vs. DC United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Columbus Crew and DC United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two teams at opposite ends of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference will meet on Saturday as Columbus Crew aim to win their first match of the season against fourth-placed DC United.

Having only played one match in the division so far, each team is still finding their feet for the new campaign.


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

The opening day of the season was something that everyone associated with Columbus Crew will be hoping to quickly forget as they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against Philadelphia Union.

While they did take the lead in the first half, even that was via an own goal, with the second 45 minutes seeing things fall apart as their opponents scored all of their goals.

A lack of discipline proved to be an issue in that period as Columbus Crew gave away two penalties which opened the game up for Philadelphia Union.

However, this weekend will be the first opportunity for Wilfried Nancy's men to perform at home, providing a great chance to quickly put that fixture behind them.

After an eighth-placed finish last season the team will be hoping to go one step further this time around to secure a playoff position, adding further pressure to this fixture.

DC United head coach Wayne Rooney during the first half against Toronto FC at Audi Field on February 25, 2023© Reuters

However, when it comes to the previous campaign that is something that DC United will want to improve upon even more considering they finished bottom of the Eastern Conference.

It was a difficult season for the team which saw them finish with a -35 goal difference, highlighting just how tough the team had it.

That is something that Wayne Rooney's men have already been looking to put right after kick-starting this season with three points, providing themselves with the perfect platform to launch into this campaign with.

The Black-and-Red left things extremely late in securing that win though as it took a 98th-minute goal from Theodore Ku-DiPietro to defeat Toronto 3-2.

That was not the only late goal of the game though as DC United came back from 2-1 down in the final 10 minutes as Christian Benteke initially scored an equaliser in the 90th minute, showcasing the fighting spirit the team has this season.

Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:
  • L

DC United Major League Soccer form:
  • W


Team News

DC United player Christian Benteke reacts before a pre-season MLS game against Charlotte FC at Empire Polo Club on February 1, 2023© Reuters

Patrick Schulte could be set to feature in goal once more for Columbus Crew due to the fact there are issues surrounding Eloy Room and his green card, but he will be hoping for a stronger performance than his debut where he let four goals in if that is the case.

Josh Williams could be brought in to make his first start for the club in an attempt to strengthen the defensive side of the hosts after struggling in their first match.

The visitors will be without the services of Martin Rodriguez for the bulk of this season after he tore his ACL in his right knee, providing them with an early blow.

Another name that is not going to be available for DC United is Ravel Morrison as Rooney decided to axe his former teammate from the roster.

However, the experience of former Crystal Palace and Liverpool striker Benteke will prove vital for the team, just as it did last weekend when he got off the mark.

Ku-Dipietro will also be hoping he did enough in his cameo role on the opening day of the season to start this time around after he scored the late winner.

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Degenek, Williams, Medranda; Morris, Nagbe, Espinoza, Zelarayan, Molino; Ramirez

DC United possible starting lineup:
Miller; Ruan, Birnbaum, Williams, Jeahze; Palsson; Canouse, Klich; Fountas, Rodriguez, Benteke


SM words green background

We say: Columbus Crew 1-1 DC United

Columbus Crew will fancy their chances of bouncing back from last weekend's defeat and securing their first victory of the season in front of their own fans on Saturday. However, we believe DC United will follow up their opening-day win by earning a hard-fought point in Ohio.

How to watch

You can watch Columbus Crew vs. DC United 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:data


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Written by
Matthew Wilkinson

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Game History

How you voted: Columbus Crew vs DC United

Columbus Crew
33.3%
Draw
16.7%
DC United
50.0%
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Tables header RHS

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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