Preview: Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

The first of only two games this weekend on Major League Soccer (MLS) schedule will see that Columbus crew Hosting the New England Revolution on Saturday at Lower.com Field.

A 2-1 home loss to DC United last week officially eliminated the Revs from playoff contention, while the Crew cruised to a narrow 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Union.

Game preview

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After a brilliant 2023 season in which the Crew set a new club record for a season (57) while also winning the MLS Cup, Wilfried NancyThe second season as head coach was arguably better.

Their win last weekend allowed them to set a new club record for points in a season (60), while this summer they won the League Cup and were among the contenders to win the MLS Cup again.

The Crew have won two of their last three home games in the competition, although their nine wins at Lower.com Field this year are three fewer domestically than in 2023.

For a team with such an attacking approach that likes to push its numbers, this team was relatively solid defensively, conceding the second-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference (38).

Should they reach the maximum points on Saturday, they would officially secure second place in the Eastern Conference as they are currently four points ahead of arch-rivals FC Cincinnati in the table and both teams still have two games in hand.

They have won their last two MLS meetings with New England, including a massive 5-1 triumph in Greater Boston earlier this season.

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The Revolution will not be in the playoffs for the second time in three seasons after suffering a second straight loss last week.

This team failed to find much consistency all year, winning just two of its first 13 games in the regular season while picking up one win in its last eight league games.

Caleb Porter will return to Columbus this weekend for the first time since the man who led the Crew to the 2020 MLS Cup title was released at the end of the 2022 season.

With only two games remaining this season, New England can finish with a maximum of 37 points, which would be their fewest since 2012 (35).

The Revs were unable to address their defensive deficiencies throughout the season, conceding a combined second-most goals in the Eastern Conference (64).

New England has never won a game at Lower.com Field since its 1-0 victory at Historic Crew Stadium in 2013 (1-0) and has not beaten the Crew in Columbus.

Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:

Columbus Crew form (all competitions):

New England Revolution Major League Soccer form:

Team news

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The crew was missing in their win against Philly Sean Zawadzki because of a rib injury, Evan Bush is traveling with a wrist problem Rudy Camacho is eligible to return after a red card suspension.

Their two best goalkeepers will be absent due to the international break Patrick Schulte named to the United States squad and Nicholas Hagen called up to the Guatemalan team and left Abraham Romero as a starter, while Taha Habroune (USA U-20) and Mohamed Farsi (Algeria) will also be on international duty.

Cucho Hernandez has scored in five consecutive league games and scored a brace last weekend, while Farsi scored the other goal.

On matchday 32, the Revs were without one Will Sands due to a sore foot and Tomas Chancalay is out for the rest of the year due to a knee injury.

Four New England players will be absent due to the international window Xavier Arreaga joining Ecuador, Peyton Miller was selected to the USA U20 team, Alhassan Yusuf was elected to the Nigerian squad and Esmir Bajraktarevic will be with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dave Romney Last Saturday made his 75th appearance for the Revs in all competitions, with their only goal being an own goal courtesy of DC Matti Peltola.

Possible starting lineup for the Columbus Crew:
Romero; Cheberko, Camacho, Amundsen; Russell Rowe, Matan, Nagbe, Jones; Rossi, Ramirez; Hernandez

Possible New England Revolution starting lineup:
Ivacic; Bye, Parker, Romney, Mensah; Kaye, Upholstery; Borrero, C. Gil, Boateng; Vrioni

We say: Columbus Crew 3-2 New England Revolution

The Crew are firing on all cylinders at the moment and are looking as sharp in the attacking third as we've seen all year, and we're expecting a spirited affair with the Columbus depth ultimately giving them three points.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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