Fresh off back-to-back wins in Weeks 3 and 4 of the Major League Soccer regular season, Columbus Crew SC hosts Eastern Conference rival Orlando City SC on April 1 with a special 4 p.m. ET kickoff at MAPFRE Stadium. Saturday's showdown against Orlando City SC will be just the fifth regular season meeting between the clubs all-time. Crew SC has lost to the Lions just once, outscoring the Florida outfit 13-10.
The Black & Gold are coming off a 3-2 comeback victory over the Portland Timbers at MAPFRE Stadium, with goals by Justin Meram, Ola Kamara and rookie Niko Hansen. Crew SC creative midfielder Federico Higuain contributed the home sides only assist — an inch-perfect lofted pass from the center circle into the path of an on-rushing Kamara nearly 35 yard away.
“To be honest, I like to play against good teams," Higuain said. "I like to play against teams that play the game, teams that try to play soccer with style — like we try to. I respect Portland a lot, and Orlando is another good game to play. We are having a normal week, studying our rival and preparing. We respect Orlando, but will always look to take the three points on Saturday."
Crew SC is one of just six teams to have played four matches in 2017, emerging atop the early Eastern Conference table with seven points. Orlando is the only team in the League to have only played twice — both games were wins at home.
With all three goals coming from Cyle Larin this season, the star-studded Lions are difficult to predict.
“The mood has been good," Crew SC captain and midfielder Wil Trapp said after training at the EAS Training Center at Obetz on Tuesday. "We are really trying to reinforce that we are just four games into the season. We have to continue to put in the same effort and level of accountability to keep this run going. We are not relaxing or resting on our laurels. We are attacking. This week is the next challenge.”
The two teams met twice last year in regular season play. In their first matchup of 2016 the Lions travelled to Columbus on July 23 and left in a 2-2 draw. In the second matchup, on September 17, Crew SC travelled to the Sunshine State to deliver a 4-1 thumping.
The Black & Gold have a 2-1-2 record over Orlando, and are currently sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference after last week’s 3-2 victory over the Portland Timbers. Crew SC will look to break the Lion's current unbeaten streak.
