Picture Credits: Columbus Crew Twitter (@ColumbusCrew)
The Crew will hit the road for 2 games before they open up there brand new stadium on July 3rd. First up for the Crew, the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park on Wednesday night. This matchup will feature 2 of the top 4 teams in the eastern conference. After beating the Chicago Fire on Saturday in the final game at Historic Crew Stadium 2-0, the Crew will look to continue there win streak in the city of Brotherly Love.
Predicted XI:
Picture Credits: Devin Weisbarth (@devinweisbarth) via Lineup11
After Eloy Room was unable to play against Chicago on the weekend due to his quarantine after international duty, he is back and available for selection against Philadelphia. Also off the injury report is Kevin Molino, who is in line to get his first start for the Crew. Also, due to this being a midweek game, coach Caleb Porter has a decision to make in wether or not he is going to rotate his squad for this game, or the game at the weekend against Austin FC.
Other than Eloy Room and Kevin Molino coming in to the starting lineup for Evan Bush and Alex Matan, I don't see Porter changing a team that is on a 3 game win streak. Pedro Santos playing left back has been a revolution for the Crew. He has played at left back for the Crew the past 2 games, and has made the MLS team of the week each of those 2 weeks.
The backline stays the same ofter keeping a clean sheet against Chicago, and to continue to build continuity between them. Santos filling in for Valenzuela in the left has been a revelation, and he has impressed through the 2 games he has played as an outside back.
The middle is purely speculation. With not being healthy in the midfield, Porter may elect to rest Nagbe, and start some academy products for this midweek game. The winger should stay the same, barring Molino in for Matan.
Columbus will be looking to keep Gyasi Zardes in form, and hoping that Lucas Zelerayan can also continue his good run of form. In all reality, the game against Austin FC this coming weekend is the game that all eyes will be on.
Prediction
Both of these teams met at Historic Crew Stadium to open up their MLS campaigns, and played to a 0-0 draw. I believe that this game will also finish in a draw, but with each team scoring once. I predict this game to finish in a 1-1 draw.
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