Columbus Crew SC hosts the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night at MAPFRE Stadium. This will be the only meeting this season between the cross-conference rivals. The match is set to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Here's what to watch:
The City of Angels Comes to Columbus
The LA Galaxy will enter this week’s match fresh off a bye week. They are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference with a 6-12-5 record this season. The Galaxy are also the Western leaders when it comes to away games with a record of 5-5-1 in the 2017 regular-season.
Guardians of the Galaxy
This will be the Galaxy’s first match this season without their captain, Jelle Van Damme, the 2016 MLS Defender of the Year nominee, who they recently transferred to Royal Antwerp FC last Friday. However, two players that may pose a threat to the Black & Gold include Romain Alessandrini and Ashley Cole.
- Designated Player Romain Alessandrini leads the pack for LA in scoring with a total of eight goals this season. The French winger is known for his lethal left foot and beating defenders 1-v-1.
- The 36-year-old Londoner Ashley Cole has been a thorn in the sides of opposing attackers this season. In 2016 the left back contributed to the defense that allowed just 1.15 goals per game, tied for second-best in the League. He also has notched a goal for the Galaxy this season.
LA Records
Wednesday night’s match will be the 42nd regular-season meeting between the cross-conference foes. The Black & Gold hold a record of 16-15-10 over the Galaxy, and they have scored a total of 56 goals against LA all-time.
The Black & Gold will return home on Wednesday, August 23 to kick off a three-game home stand when they face the LA Galaxy in what will be a 7:30 p.m. ET start at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus.
