Columbus Crew @ LAFC We can have separate from the official game thread with the poll or we can move any post from here once it’s created. Marquee match up this week but will everyone be awake to witness? A lot at stake as we try to redeem ourselves with a big game on the road.This top defense (GA) will be severely tested. Thankfully Schulte isn’t off to the Olympics yet. Time: Saturday 10:30 EST Venue: BMO Stadium LA, California TV coverage : MLS Season Pass on Apple TV Weather: sunny high of 86 Series History: (W-D-L) Overall Record 0-3 (1-4) Away Record 0-1 Playoffs 1-0-0 Recent History The Crew never scored on LAFC until we won MLS Cup last year Last meeting @ LAFC June23rd , 2018 LAFC 2-0 Current Home/Away Form 2024 LAFC Home 1st 9W-2D-0L (29pts) 2024 Crew Away 4th 5W-3D-2L (18pts) MLS Standings: Crew 6th (3rd East) LAFC 3rd (2nd West) Points per gm ? ESPN odds: too early Crew Draw LAFC Uniforms : (I’m assuming) Crew:Yellow LAFC: Black Key departures Aidan Morris - was vital in winning MLS cup. Can we slow down this LAFC attack without him? We will need to score multiple goals because a clean sheet is highly unlikely. Injury Report: • Crew • OUT: Evan Bush (arm) • OUT: Jacen Russell-Rowe (international duty) • LAFC • OUT: Lorenzo Dellavalle (knee) • OUT: Cristian Olivera (international duty) Subject to change (it’s early ) Line up: With plenty of Rest the only question is LCB, Zawadzki unless not 100% after the lil knock from the SKC game starts. Team will possibly have to adjust sleep patterns playing such a late game but should be a non issue. Bigger issue for us as fans. Schulte Arfsten Cheberko Camacho Moreira Farsi Zawadzki Nagbe Rossi Cucho Ramírez LAFC: They have an Open Cup semifinal vrs New Mexico United. United is the best team in the USL West so maybe LAFC has to play some starters. They did not play Saturday night @ Houston. But we can expect their best XI. Glory to Columbus !
There is every reason to believe JRR and Canada will bow out of Copa America Tuesday. It might not happen, but most would say they aren't beating Argentina. He only has one appearance as a sub. He could be back and somewhat fresh.
This really is a delicious matchup. Theres a clear top tier in the league so far-Columbus, Miami, Cinci, and LAFC. Well Columbus has swung and missed at their first 2 cracks at the other teams in this tier. I think Nancy will be set on not letting this trend continue. And LAFC have plenty of motivation, what with December 2023 not a distant memory at this point. LAFC have been battering teams lately, but I dont think they have played a team at Columbus' level yet. Theres a chance that LAFC is the best MLS team that the Crew has played all year, so they might be required to hit the gear we saw them get to down in Mexico. Should be a blast to watch.
“so they might be required to hit the gear we saw them get to down in Mexico.” what do you mean exactly ? “Should be a blast to watch.” - Agreed I’ll add LAG & RSL to top teams. It’s 6 legitimate contenders at this point in the SS race.
Only way I can see Canada getting a win is if it goes to PK. If JRR is back it gives us another option off the bench
I mean that mostly the Crew has been beating up on bad teams lately. Which is awesome, and its what great teams should do. But they havent really been required to lock in defensively and offensively at a 100% level for 90 minutes for quite a while. I think its possible Columbus underestimated Miamis second string a few weeks ago, like a lot of us, and didnt match their intensity at the start. When the Crew went down to Mexico and tied Tigres/stomped Monterrey, that was the best team in MLS playing at a level that no one else can reach. I think they need to hit that gear again to win this game. The Galaxy and RSL are good teams. I think they are both flawed to a point where neither can be serious contenders for a trophy. The Galaxy dont have a serious defense and RSL are lacking top end talent outside of Chicho Arango. If they make another signing or 2 then Im willing to put them in the top tier.
I'm going with Steve Cherundo-who? Wilfried Nancy embarrasses him to the point that the only thing left to do is resign in disgust. With his redemption arc being to help GGG avoid a similar embarrassment in '26.
LAFC haven't lost at home all year. And this is a revenge game for them. We kind of saw how Cincinnati handled that situation earlier this year. We've kind of figured out how to do this road game thing. And we don't change what we're doing all that much depending on the opponent, so we'll be looking for goals. Both teams score. A lot. All the while being good defensively. It's a showcase game for the league, with two great teams who happen to be last year's MLS Cup teams. Because this is MLS, this has 0-0 draw written all over it.
Looks like Schulte leaves today for France. So especially assuming we have Hagen in goal, a scoreless draw would be a terrific result for us.
I think RSL and LAG are in there, too. It is a Big Six. We lost to Cincy at home..Lost to Miami sans Messi & Saurez in FL. And drew RSL away in the game Quinton started. Time for a win against the big boys. LAFC are undefeated at home (9-2-0 WDL).
A win would put the Crew at 2.0 points per game, which I think is the threshold of being a great team.
FYI, Canada lost to Argentina but they still play the 3rd place game on Saturday in Charlotte. Therefore, he will not be available.
Tied for 3rd on PPG with RSL. And LADC is actually 2nd on PPG. Team, PTS/PPG, GP, W/GD, Schedule 1. CIN, 48/2.18, 22, 15/16, Clt/Chi/aRBNY 2. MIA, 47/2.04, 23, 14/14, x/Tor/Chi 3. LAFC, 43/2.05, 21, 13/19, NM/Clb/RSL/aSea 4. RSL, 43/1.95, 22, 12/21, aPor/aLAFC/aCol 5. LAG, 43, 1.87, 22, 12/14, aDal/Col/Por 6. CLB, 39, 1.95, 20, 11/22, aLAFC/Clt/aAtl