D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew: Preview, time, and how to watch
After succumbing 4-0 to the Philadelphia Union, D.C. United is under pressure to claim three points at home in one of their final four matches of the regular season.
While D.C. United is down, they are most certainly not out. The Black-and-Red are in full playoff contention, despite their 13th-place status. They last won against Chicago Fire on September 7th and will hope to do so again tonight. We’ve seen many bright spots over the course of the season, but D.C. has been unable to maintain consistency in play – a necessity if they wish to bring the 2024 season to a sucessful close.
Tonight’s opponent, the Columbus Crew, sits at a comfortable third in the MLS Eastern Conference standings and are the reigning MLS Cup champions. They met President Biden for a reception honoring their win just yesterday morning.
We’ll see how D.C. fares tonight in the fight for the playoffs!
Hear everything head coach Troy Lesesne had to say at the pre-game press conference here.
Let us know your thoughts about tonight’s match in the comments below and be sure to join us live here during the game to chat with your fellow supporters.
Key Player: Christian Benteke
Benteke continues to be our choice for D.C. United key player. The striker has been an incredible asset to the Black-and-Red this season and remains in contention for the Golden Boot. Bottom line is, Benteke is a difference maker on the pitch and the Crew will need to watch their backs.
Watch Out For: Cucho Hernandez
With 11 goals, Hernandez is the top goal scorer for the Columbus Crew so far this season. His ability to create opportunities and clinical finishing prowess will cause the Black-and-Red’s defense some serious heartburn if he isn’t well contained.
Challenges: In case we haven’t stated it enough, for D.C. United, EVERY. POINT. COUNTS. The Black-and-Red must stay on the front foot to stand a chance at claiming a playoff spot.
Previously: D.C. and Columbus last met on the Crew’s home turf when they played to a 1-1 draw back on April 6.
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Matai Akinmboni (Ankle), Conner Antley (Knee), Jackson Hopkins (Ankle), David Schnegg (Leg)
Columbus Crew Availability:
Out: Evan Bush (Arm), Sean Zawadzki (Torso)
Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
Kickoff time: 7:30 pm ET
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Bartlett with a huge block! Bono was beat with thr angle.
Bartlett with a kung fu save!
7 mins of extra time.
Peltola decided to move his legs at double rotation to catch Cucho, gets the foul
If every minute of soccer was like that last minute, there would be no other sports
Have you seen 7s rugby?
No, but I’m never going to like Rugby like this
Fair, but you should when you get a chance.
Damn Enow decided to show lots of flashes here late.
His passes were quite well executed toward the end, for sure
I know the discussion will be “if we can play at this level and require plays like Cucho made to hang with us, we’ve got a shot!
But I’m still predicting this is more a bounce back than something we can sustain. If Ted did things like that most games, and could go 90, we’d have a shot. I’d like to be proven wrong, but I think this is just about the ceiling of the squad
Good fight to get something out of the game. Still like so many times this season DC leaves the full three points on the table. DC still have a very small outside chance of making the playoffs, but in most senses the season is over.
Not DC’s worst season in recent memory, but maybe one of their most frustrating. This easily could have been a playoff side. Smarter additions, more investment and a deeper squad could have helped immensely through moments of injury and downturn, but the ownership spurned that opportunity yet again. The ownership came up short then and the club has now.
The ownership is at fault for getting us to this point, but we were always unlikely to be a playoff team with the roster and salary space we had to retool. This offseason is the one we were waiting for. I for one would view us being the third worst team in the league as something of an accomplishment for Lesesne. This offseason, the owners have to make it rain, and next summer has to be big, too
Well, at least it was entertaining.
AND (yes this is really me): The ref team did a fine job in this one. Usually I am leaving p’d off by the refs, but I have to give credit when it was due. Usually, I find them to be disruptive and “almost” biased.
I also thought the referees did a great job. Really controlled the match without being too intrusive. The offside flags were annoying, but they seemed to be getting them right.
there were some poor calls and non-calls. Benteke continues to suffer for just being big. Gets yellow cards because his arms are at the same height as defenders’ heads. Also got called for one foul on a barely contested header when the Crew defender backed into Benteke, and crumpled. Benteke did nothing I could see except stand there.
OTOH, left sided defense was getting away with a lot of stuff in the 2nd half, including a play where Herrera pushed the attacker off as they chased a ball, by using his hand on the attacker’s face. Should’ve been a yellow card, but the ref didn’t even see a foul.
Buzzard Point will be one of the stadiums for the Club World Cup next summer: https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/fifa-2025-club-world-cup-7-mls-stadiums-to-host-matches
I have mixed feelings, cuz it absolutely shouldn’t happen for player health. That said, mighty tempting to get tickets to something
Can’t imagine this will improve the pitch condition either.
It also occurs to me that our venue is likely going to get smaller, less notorious club matches, as the clubs truly come from all over the world. So, we’re not getting any of the big boys, anyway, most likely- those will be in American football stadiums. So, boooo!!!