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
Thanks, Sarah. I’ll be at the match so limited opportunities for commenting.
Happy Match Day! Glad you can go!
I’m thinking Cucho puts on a show against our defense if its anything like last week.
Saaaaaame!
Predicting a false dawn bounce back. Think we get a draw that causes hopes to rise, before we slide back into being unstuck in other games, missing the playoffs.
The squad is not good enough to make the playoffs, but might be good enough to frustrate a team that gets mired in our mess.
Why the bounce back prediction? Weird results happen in MLS, and I think the dressing room will want to back Lesesne after a travesty last time out. Or maybe they will just want to make a case for a spot next season, whether it’s with United or a transfer.
If we have a listless collapse, that means Lesesne can’t motivate them and has lost their respect. Don’t think that’s what we’ll see, but I believe that will be the dichotomy
…. Honestly, just pissed I didn’t go ahead and go with my gut based score prediction of 2-2, which I can say now, but people might not believe me
Lineup is out as a 5-4-1 with Stroud as LWB and Badji in the midfield. I don’t hate the idea of that, we’ve been a mess at LB all year and Stroud hasn’t been clinical enough in the final third so maybe putting him deeper will let his work rate shine.
On the other hand, Peltola has been pretty poor at CB this year and we’ve been more solid with a back four than a back five. If Lesesne truly trusts Stroud at LB and not just LWB then a 4-2-3-1 with Peltola partnering Rodriguez might be fun.
This is gonna be a mess from the sounds of it.
Seems like it should definitely be a 4-2-3-1 with the selected personnel, as you say. Don’t know what we get with basically no midfield numbers and Peltola in the backline
Cucho in some pain less than a minute in.
Early on, we’ve actually been pretty good, but Klich’s play has been a bit rough
Crew keeping us penned back pretty well so far.
Klich gets a warning from the ref. Peltola almost with a pocket pick that turned into an assist for the crew but steals it again.
Huge save from Bono!
Oh, Bono got there, oh oh, living on a prayer!
Crew player who played the cross was offside when the ball was played to him on replay. Still huge save from Bono.
Yeah, looked wrong even in real time
Crew with the high press giving DC fits.
Back three is a mess again, too disorganized.
We just need to play a back 4.
Don’t know if I agree. The coach didn’t put numbers in the midfield, and is hoping to absorb pressure and counter. Backline being put in a tough spot
KDP with a chance on the turn, but hits it right at Schulte.
Ted does MUCH better on the right wing, squares it to Benteke, and it squirts in!!!
1-0 DC
KDP with a big run then the cross to Benteke who puts it past Schulte who got something on it.
That’s against the run of play that DCU goal is.
Klich sets off Herrera, gets it back, misses the long distance drain
Herrera tracks Cucho’s ass down in the middle of the field, makes a big time tackle
Giveaway on the left hand side leads to a dangerous breakaway, Cucho misses the early shot
McVey…deflects it away from Hererrea turns it over and it leads to a Cucho chance back at the other end.
Dangnabbit. Benteke header not what we could have used
Klich, give me a break
I don’t hate the guy, but unlike some of the commentariat, I will not be particularly sad to see him sunset
Great ball from Rodríguez, but Badji gets the timing wrong and misses wide with the header.
I’d take Bono as bar fight backup any day
Badji incredibly lazy offside again
Cucho ties it…
Cucho equalizes with a wonder.
And if your DPs can’t do something like that from time to time, your money is misspent
And there’s a 2nd…like that the game has flipped…
Bartlett keeps Russel-Rowe onside…the assist from Cucho…
That’s just two incredibly special moments from a DP.
But hey, Klich got himself and another player a yellow, so…
Get out your stop watches, we’re down a goal
Good ball on the second for Columbus. Bono makes the wrong choice staying put though. Needs to try to command his box better.
Hey look ma it’s more points dropped from a winning position…
Pirani for Badji and Murrell for KDP.
I like getting Pirani in, but those two subs remove a lot of speed
That said, think this is an acknowledgment that Ted fitness wise is just not a 90 minute player
Pirani on for Badji, hoping for a bit of magic
Pirani forces a save from Schulte.
Pirani strike gets the best out of Schulte.. dammit
Peltola with a shot saving tackle then Bono with a huge save.
Great plays by Peltola and Bono on what looked like a 6 on 1
Peltola has really been on it tonight. He’s done really well defending and had some really crucial plays
That was obviously spectacular, I give a lot of credit to Herrera as well for snuffing fires
Murrell might be the Sméagol of this game- does he have some fated part to play?
Pretty much, turns out
Stroud with a great ball, but Benteke misses.
The Stroud to Benteke connection almost works, great from Stroud on his left
Very close free kick position for the foul on Cucho
Enow…with another yellow…
Oh hell Santos is probably coming in for Stroud…
Wait he comes in for McVey…?
Looks like we got a four back with Santos. Yay…
Impact subs Dajome and Santos.
Priani assists Beneteke who ties it.
Enow to Murrell to Pirani to Benteke!
It’s tied
Sweet Buddha, Benteke again, though the build up was a very smart play by Murrell for the hockey assist
Enow played the ball to Murrell.
Murrell wasn’t the assist
Still i was surprised by the ball from Enow to Murrell.
Enow made some good passes in midfield leading up to it, yeah
This game is getting stretched.
No way in hell is that a pk.
Cucho, the Emmys are over for this season
Card for Cucho for kicking it away.