TONIGHT'S STARTING XI
LAST REGULAR-SEASON MEETING
Columbus Crew and Nashville SC met once during the 2020 regular season, when the Crew hosted Nashville on September 19 at Historic Crew Stadium. Columbus took a 2-0 victory over the expansion side with second-half goals scored by midfielder Pedro Santos and forward Gyasi Zardes. Additionally, the two sides met on November 29 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, again played at Historic Crew Stadium. After a scoreless regulation, Santos and Zardes scored in the first half of added extra time to give Columbus a 2-0 win and advanced the Club to the Eastern Conference Finals.
18 OF 21 AT HOME
The Crew returns to Lower.com Field to host Nashville SC for the second match of a two-match homestand, as the Black & Gold seek their 19th win in the last 22 home matches, including playoffs, dating back to 2019.
COLUMBUS CREW LEADS LEAGUE IN GOALS SCORED OUTSIDE OF THE 18-YARD BOXÂ
Through 13 matches of the 2021 MLS regular season, the Black & Gold currently lead Major League Soccer in goals scored outside of the 18-yard box, having scored six goals from that area. Additionally, midfielder Lucas Zelarayan leads the League with five goals scored from the range - single-handedly scoring more goals from outside the box than any club this season.
ZELARAYAN SCORES HIS FOURTH DIRECT-FREE KICK GOAL OF THE SEASONÂ
Lucas Zelarayan has now scored four direct free-kick goals during the 2021 MLS regular season, having previously connected versus D.C. United (May 8) and twice at New York City FC (May 22). He is the first player in Major League Soccer to score four direct free-kick goals in a season since David Beckham accomplished the feat for the LA Galaxy during the 2012 season.
ZELARAYAN SCORES FIFTH REGULAR-SEASON GOALÂ
Midfielder Lucas Zelarayan scored his fifth goal of the 2021 regular season during Saturday's match against New York City FC. The direct free kick goal was Zelarayan's fourth free kick goal of the season and his third free kick scored against New York City FC this season. Zelarayan is now tied for the Club lead in goals scored against New York City FC, having scored four times in three appearances (three game-winning goals).
NAGBE SCORES FIRST GOAL OF THE REGULAR SEASONÂ
Midfielder Darlington Nagbe scored his first goal of the regular season in first-half stoppage-time of Saturday's match against New York City FC. The goal was Nagbe's first regular-season goal since scoring versus Chicago Fire FC on August 19, 2020 at Historic Crew Stadium, which was later voted the MLSSoccer.com Goal of the Year. Nagbe's goal was nominated for MLSSoccer.com's Goal of the Week, while the midfielder earned a spot in MLSsoccer.com's Team of the Week.
NAGBE AND HAIRSTON: PASS MASTERSÂ
Through 13 matches in the 2021 MLS regular season, midfielders Darlington Nagbe and Marlon Hairston lead the League in passing accuracy among players who have attempted 50 or more passes. Nagbe has made 12 starts while completing 572 of his 594 attempted passes for a passing accuracy percentage of 96.3%, while Hairston has made four appearances and completed 156 of his 166 attempted passes for a passing accuracy percentage of 93.98%.
