After a Concacaf Champions Cup clash against Tigres UANL on Tuesday, the Columbus Crew return to league action on Saturday night when they host D.C. United at Lower.com Field.
Numbers to Know
3 – The Black & Gold sit third in the Eastern Conference standings with 11 points from the opening six matches – one point off first-place FC Cincinnati. Columbus earned a 2-2 draw with Nashville SC this past Saturday in a game that showcased the Crew handling adversity. After Sean Zawadzki scored an early goal, the Crew allowed two goals in first-half stoppage time and entered the break in choppy waters. Fortunes changed in the second half, though, when Marino Hinestroza opened his scoring account with a 79th-minute equalizing header. How head coach Wilfried Nancy approaches this match remains to be seen, but with the second leg of the quarterfinals against Tigres on Tuesday in Mexico, that could impact the starting XI and the substitution decisions.
11 – It’s time for Hinestroza to receive some love and attention. The Colombian joined Columbus earlier this season from Club de Fútbol Pachuca, and is looking like more and more of an attacking threat in every match. In the last league game against Nashville, Hinestroza scored his first goal through four MLS appearances. He also displayed a 93% passing accuracy and won three ground duels. While he’s new to the team and the league, Hinestroza has been impressive through the opening months of the campaign.
8 – D.C. United enters Lower.com Field eighth in the conference standings, but that’s slightly misleading. Both clubs are unbeaten in five-of-their-first-six league matches and are separated by two points. D.C. enters the Ohio capital on the heels of a 1-0 home win against CF Montréal thanks to a goal from former Crew playmaker Pedro Santos.
20 – Former Belgium National Team striker Christian Benteke is the man that Crew supporters – and defenders – will need to keep an eye on come Saturday night. The 33-year-old forward has already registered four goals in his four appearances this season. In 2023, he scored 14 goals while providing four assists. Benteke has 44% of D.C. United’s goals to date, so it’ll be crucial for the Black & Gold to deny him goal-scoring opportunities.
When They Last Met
The last time the clubs met was nearly a year ago – April 8, 2023 – when the Crew won, 2-0, at Audi Field. The goals came via a Lucas Zelarayán penalty and Christian Ramirez. As for the last game at Lower.com Field, that also finished with an identical score line. Columbus beat D.C., 2-0, on March 4, 2023 – Crewmas. Zelarayán scored both goals that evening.
Match Overview
Who: Columbus Crew host D.C. United
When: Saturday, Apr. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lower.com Field
Tickets: Come Kick It for Youth Soccer Night
How to Watch: MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app
How to Listen: La Grande 102.5 FM | Alt 105.7 FM | iHeart Radio app
Single-Match Tickets
Secure your seat to cheer on the reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field this season!
