Columbus Crew SC is set to play its third match in seven days as it hosts Eastern Conference original D.C. United at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday.
Midweek, the Black & Gold hosted Toronto FC for the Second Leg of the 2016 Trillium Cup rivalry series. Crew SC defender Harrison Afful opened the scoring in the 54th minute of action with a right-footed volley from outside the box — his first career MLS goal. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, extending Columbus' unbeaten streak at home to eight.
Saturday will be the first of two meetings between Columbus and D.C., with the final meeting being held at RFK Stadium on Sept. 28. The Black & Gold currently sit four points behind United and five points out of a playoff spot. Columbus looks to take advantage of the next two matches in front of its home fans. Defender Tyson Wahl says the team realizes how important the upcoming match is and they are excited to get back on the pitch.
"Our team understands how crucial a win is for us," he said. "We're excited to get back out there."
D.C. United has committed the third-most fouls in the League this season while Columbus has conceded the fewest. Both Michael Parkhurst and Wahl know how physical United plays and are preparing to defend against it.
"D.C. teams are physical, they play direct, they battle and they hang in there for 90 minutes," Parkhurst said." It will be a tough challenge for this team and one that we need to rise up against."
Wahl added that D.C. is an athletic team on top of being physical. He imagines they will push forward against the Black & Gold and not sit back defending.
"I think they are a team that competes," Wahl said. "A pretty athletic team. I don't really see them sitting back so much but I think it's going to be a physical game."
Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter says that all of his focus is on the next match and on D.C. United.
"We're five points back. There's a lot of soccer to be played. Our objective right now, our focus, is on the next game and that's all we're focused on."
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. You can catch the match on The CW Columbus, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and BCSN2, as well as hear it on the radio CD102.5 and LaMega 103.1.
