SportsMall previews Saturday's Major League Soccer showdown between the Columbus Crew and New England Revolution, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
The first of two matches this weekend will look at the Major League Soccer (MLS) schedule Columbus Group hosting New England Revolution on Saturday at Lower.com Field.
A 2-1 home loss to DC United last week officially eliminated the Revs from playoff contention, while the Crew are coming off a narrow 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Union.
Competition preview
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Coming off a sparkling 2023 campaign in which the team set a new single-season club record for points (57) while capturing the MLS Cup, Wilfred NancyHis second season in charge was excellent.
Their win last weekend helped them set a new club record for points in a season (60) while claiming the League Cup this summer and are among the contenders to reclaim the MLS Cup.
The Crew have won two of their previous three home matches in this competition, although their nine wins domestically at Lower.com Field are three fewer than in 2023.
For a side that likes to push numbers forward with such an attacking approach, the team has been relatively solid defensively, conceding the second-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference (38).
If they get the maximum points on Saturday, they will officially move into second place in the Eastern Conference as they are currently four points above arch-rivals FC Cincinnati in the table, while both teams have two matches remaining.
They have won their last two MLS meetings with New England, including a resounding 5-1 win in Greater Boston earlier this season.
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After suffering a second straight loss last week, the Revolution will miss the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
The team failed to find much consistency throughout the year, winning just two of their first 13 regular season matches while picking up one win in their previous eight league matches.
Caleb Porter The man who led the team to the 2020 MLS Cup title will return to Columbus this weekend for the first time since being fired at the end of the 2022 season.
With just two games left in the season, New England could finish with a maximum of 37 points, which would be its fewest since 2012 (35).
The Revs were unable to correct their defensive deficiencies throughout the campaign, conceding the joint second-most goals in the Eastern Conference (64).
New England hasn't won a game at Lower.com Field and hasn't beaten the Crew in Columbus since a 1-0 win at Historic Crew Stadium (1-0) in 2013.
Columbus Crew Major League Soccer Format:
Columbus Group Format (All Matches):
New England Revolution Major League Soccer Format:
Group messages
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In their win against Philly, the crew was missing Sean Zawatsky Due to rib injury, Evan Bush He is out with a wrist problem Rudy Camacho Eligible to return from red card suspension.
Their top two goalkeepers will be away due to the international break Patrick Schulte Named to the US team and Nicholas Hagen Called the Guatemalan team and left Abraham Romero As a beginner, at the same time Taha Habrun (USA U-20) and Mohammad Parsi (Algeria) will also be away on international duty.
Gucho Hernandez Has scored in five consecutive league matches, grabbing a brace last weekend, with Farsi scoring the other goal.
On match day 32, the Revs were without Will Sands Due to leg pain, and Thomas Sanchez He is out for the rest of the year with a knee injury.
Four New England players will be absent due to the international window Xavier areca Joining Ecuador, Peyton Miller Named to the USA U-20 squad, Alhassan Yusuf Selected for the Nigerian team Esmir Bajraktarevic Along with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Dave Romney He collected his 75th appearance for the Revs in all competitions last Saturday, while their only goal came courtesy of DC. Matty Beltola.
Columbus Crew Possible Starting Lineup:
Romero; Sebargo, Camacho, Amundsen; Russell-Rowe, Madden, Nagbe, Jones; Rossi, Ramirez; Hernandez
Possible starting order of the New England Revolution:
Ivacic; Bye, Parker, Romney, Mensah; Kaye, Bolster; Borrero, C. Gill, Bateng; Vryoni
We say: Columbus Crew 3-2 New England Revolution
The Crew is firing on all cylinders this time and the attacking third looks as sharp as we've seen all year and we expect an exciting affair with Columbus depth giving the three points at the end.
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