The Columbus Crew (9-15-7, 34 pts.) looks to earn its third straight road victory on Saturday, Sept. 21, as the Black & Gold take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7-15-9, 30 pts.) at BC Place at 5 p.m. ET.
The Whitecaps have won five of the last seven league meetings, outscoring the Crew 13-7 in the process. Though this season, Vancouver ranks second-to-last in the league in home goals scored (15). Notably, the Whitecaps have never scored fewer than 24 goals at home entering this season.
Meanwhile, Columbus’ two-match road winning streak marks the Club's first win streak away from MAPFRE Stadium since September of 2015. Through the last six road matches, the Crew has garnered 11 points (3W-2D-1L), compared to 13 from the previous 21 matches, as the Club has totaled four road victories this season, surpassing last year’s total and matching that of 2017.
The Black & Gold are coming off a 3-1 win at Atlanta United FC on Sept. 14, with Gyasi Zardes tallying his 12th goal of the season and 8th on the road – currently the most road goals of any American in MLS – while Luis Diaz recorded the game-winner with his second goal since joining the Club in July.
Artur, who has started and played a full 90 minutes in nine straight games, attributed the current run of form – 17 points in the last 10 games overall – to a strong mentality and aggressiveness.
“I think the biggest thing is our mentality, our aggressiveness – I think that changes the whole game,” he said. “When we have the full mind and the full body inside the field and with the right mentality, I think we can do much better. I think it’s been very important to us.”
Eloy Room, who has only witnessed one Crew SC loss since making his club debut on July 20 (4W-1L-4D), spoke on how the Club expects to see a ‘Caps side that will sit back and counter.
“[Vancouver’s style] is more sitting back so we'll have the ball more and have to play the game. We have to be patient and not give the ball away that quickly, otherwise, we’ll get countered,” Room said.
As for the opposition, 32-year-old Colombian striker Fredy Montero is tied for the team-lead in goals with seven alongside 26-year-old Peruvian international Yordy Reyna. Montero’s 90th-minute game-winner last weekend vs. Houston marked his first goal from open play in over four months, as the ‘Caps broke a three-match losing skid. His last goal from open play came on May 11th against Portland. Additionally, five of his last six goals from open play have come in home matches.
The last time out at BC Place in 2017, the two sides drew 2-2, while the ‘Caps took home a 2-1 win at MAPFRE Stadium in March of 2018.
However, notably, when it comes to playing on artificial turf this season, the Crew’s record is a perfect 3-0-0, all of which have come on the road.
Tune-in to Saturday's match on FOX Sports Ohio, stream on FOX Sports GO, or listen on 1460 AM The Fan or www.ColumbusCrewSC.com (English & Spanish).
