Two teams that are experiencing contrasting starts to the 2023 MLS campaign will lock horns in the early hours of Sunday morning, as Columbus Crew host Real Salt Lake at the Lower.com Field.
The Crew are coming into this clash riding high, after a resounding 6-1 over Atlanta United, while RSL were on the opposite end of a 4-0 demolition at the hands of the newest MLS expansion team, St Louis City.
Match preview
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Columbus enter this contest currently sitting in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, recording two wins, two losses and one draw from the five matches they have played, amassing seven points.
Last time out, a brace from Christian Ramirez and the first career goals of Aidan Morris, Philip Quinton and Max Arfsten helped the Crew to a 6-1 win against depleted Atlanta United last weekend.
The Crew led by a goal at half time due to Morris's strike in the 14th minute before exploding in the second half with goals coming from Ramirez, Quinton and Jacen Russell-Rowe, inflicting Atlanta United's worst-ever defeat upon them.
That victory means that Wilfried Nancy's side have won both of their home matches so far this season, scoring eight goals and only conceding one, leaving the Crew with the fifth-best record in the entire league.
Columbus won this fixture last season 2-1, so Nancy will be eager to see a similar performance from his side this weekend in order to keep their winning home record intact.
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Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake are bidding to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat this weekend, after being thrashed 4-0 at home last time out to St Louis City, leaving them 12th in the Western Conference standings.
After a goalless first half, the new expansion team started the second half strong, and went ahead through Nicholas Gioacchini two minutes after the restart.
Joao Klauss then continued his brilliant start to the season with goals in the 61st and 66th minute to put St Louis in complete control, before Rasmus Alm added the icing on the cake with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Following their opening match victory versus the Vancouver Whitecaps, it has been rough going for Pablo Mastroeni and his team.
RSL have lost all three fixtures since then – falling short away at the Seattle Sounders, before losing back-to-back games on their own turf against Austin FC, and most recently, St Louis.
RSL have only won one of the last five meetings against Columbus, although, their only win this season has come away from home, so Mastroeni may be quietly confident that his side can get a positive result.
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Team News
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Kevin Molino is going to be missing for the hosts this weekend after undergoing a meniscectomy of his knee, which is expected to keep him out of action for around six weeks.
However, the Crew are expected to welcome back the likes of Milos Degenek, Eloy Room and Lucas Zelarayan, who were all away on international duty.
Christian Ramirez made his debut for the Crew on Saturday evening, scoring a brace that headlined the 6-1 rout of Atlanta last time out, so he could retain his place in the starting XI this weekend.
As for the visitors, Scott Caldwell was on the RSL bench for their match against Austin with a hip flexor, Axel Kei is out because of a sore ankle and Zack Farnsworth has yet to recover from his thigh injury.
Much like the hosts, Real Salt Lake will welcome a number of players back from international duty for this match, including the likes of Braian Ojeda, Rubio Rubin and Jefferson Savarino.
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Room; Moreira, Degenek, Quinton; Farsi, Nagbe, Morris, Yeboah; Ramirez, Cucho, Russell-Rowe
Real Salt Lake possible starting lineup:
MacMath; Brody, Glad, Silva, Oviedo; Ojeda, Loeffelsend; Gomez, Kreilach, Savarino; Rubin
We say: Columbus Crew 2-1 Real Salt Lake
The Crew are unbeaten on home soil so far this season, and after the 6-1 demolition of Atlanta last time out, we think Columbus will have too much firepower against a struggling Real Salt Lake side.
How to watch
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