Columbus Crew at Charlotte FC: Preview, analysis, projected starters
Table Of Content
2 – So far, so good for the Black & Gold, who sit second in the Eastern Conference with 10 points from the first four matches. Inter Miami CF is tied on points – but has played an extra game. The Crew have continued their liquid soccer from last season, playing above, around and through opponents. Columbus battered a strong New York Red Bulls side, 3-0, last weekend, and hopes to carry that momentum on the road in North Carolina.
Know Before You Go: Charlotte FC vs. Columbus Crew March 23 at 7:30PM
Yet Monterrey struck first at Estadio BBVA, courtesy of a Yevhen Cheberko own goal (11') after Maxi Meza's chip over onrushing Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte caromed off the crossbar and in off the Ukrainian defender. But Columbus leveled on the final kick of the first half when Aidan Morris (45+4') picked off a restart by Monterrey goalkeeper Esteban Andrada and fired home the Crew’s first of three away goals. But when the Crew are struggling to generate offense, midfielder Lucas Zelarayán often shoulders the sole responsibility of getting his team going. As one of the best attacking midfielders in MLS, Zelarayán certainly has the ability and freedom to take control of the Crew's attack, but Nancy's offensive structure is more effective when a variety of players are sharing the ball. The Crew are intent on approaching each game the same way, so the plan won't change on the road in front of a big crowd at Bank of America Stadium.
Match Overview
Match Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Toronto FC - Charlotte FC
Match Preview: Charlotte FC vs. Toronto FC.
Posted: Fri, 12 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Arfsten, starting at wingback in place of defender Mo Farsi, who was injured during warmups, doubled the Crew's lead in the 21st minute. Ramírez spotted Arfsten isolated on the right wing, and as a natural forward who has converted to wingback with the Crew, beating his defender one-on-one is a comfortable position for Arfsten. Playing on the right side allowed him to cut inside to shoot on his favored left foot, and he found a lane between two Charlotte defenders to shoot the ball into the far corner. To begin the Crew's eighth game in the last 25 days, kickoff was delayed for 30 minutes due to severe weather in the area, but once the game began, the Crew were in control from the first kick.
Columbus Crew season
In 2023, Columbus hoisted the MLS Cup for a third time behind an MVP performance by forward Cucho Hernández. Atlanta United, which the Crew beat 6-1 on March 25, is the only other team the Crew have faced that wants to have the ball as much as Charlotte does. The other teams the Crew have played, whether by design in their style of play or as a result of poor performances, are all below 50% possession so far this year. Charlotte has scored just eight goals this year, tied for the sixth-fewest in the league, so its efficiency with the ball has been lacking, despite the high volume of possession.
Let us know if you find an issue or have a suggestion. FBref.com launched (June 13, 2018) with domestic league coverage for England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and United States. Since then we have been steadily expanding our coverage to include domestic leagues from over 40 countries as well as domestic cup, super cup and youth leagues from top European countries. We have also added coverage for major international cups such as the UEFA Champions League and Copa Libertadores. — Ashley Westwood and Patrick Agyemang scored late in the second half and Charlotte FC beat Columbus 2-0 on Saturday, handing the defending champion Crew their first loss of the season.
"It’s a really big atmosphere," defender Will Sands said. After last week's test against one of the top teams in MLS, the Crew, who are fourth in the Eastern Conference, now travel to 14th-place Charlotte FC. The crowd at Bank of America Stadium is always packed, but so far this season, Charlotte hasn't rewarded its home fans with a victory.
Columbus Crew Stats
It should be noted that this is the first time the Crew have had a full week to prepare for a road opponent since entering Matchday 2 at Minnesota United FC on March 2. With more time to prepare – and recover – it’ll be interesting to see head coach Wilfried Nancy’s starting lineup. Zelarayan, who had been named the 2020 MLS Newcomer of the Year, registered two goals and one assist against Seattle Sounders FC 3-0, also securing 2020 MLS Cup MVP honors.
Assisted by Lucas Zelarayán with a cross. Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lucas Zelarayán with a through ball.
United States
Following a record-setting first year of a 10-year partnership with Apple, all of the action returns to MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. The 2022 MLS season marked the first full season for the Crew at Lower.com Field - a dynamic and new soccer-specific stadium in the heart of Columbus in the Astor Park neighborhood. Yet, history can be a powerful motivator. If the Crew stop Rayados, they’ll become the seventh-ever MLS side to reach a CCC final. And, at risk of dreaming too big, a triumph in next month’s final books a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup that’s hosted across the United States. “We play for the final and at this level, it's all about details.
That said, this is also Charlotte’s first home game since its win, and the club is about to play three-of-its-next-five games at Bank of America Stadium. In a game that ends the Crew's stretch of eight games in 25 days, Zawadzki's freshness compared to others on the roster could be another reason to give him a starting nod. Nancy considered starting Zawadzki on Wednesday but opted to let him watch the first 45 minutes before he came into the game. Perhaps, now that Zawadzki has a bit of experience in the center back role, he could be in line for a start in that position on Saturday. But after conceding a goal in the ninth minute, the Crew scored three straight to take the lead, and the win marked the first time they've come back to win this season.
The Crew will first face Inter Miami CF on the road June 19 before Messi and Inter Miami CF come to Columbus Oct. 2 for the Crew's second-to-last home game of the regular season. MLS is Back continues with 14 matches on the impending Saturday (Feb. 24) and Sunday (Feb. 25), highlighted by reigning Leagues Cup champions Inter Miami CF visiting five-time MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy. The 2023 MLS Cup champions hold a 2-1 aggregate lead after goals from Cucho Hernández and Jacen Russell-Rowe paced last week’s Leg 1 victory at home. The Columbus Crew have a rich history as one of the founding ten members of Major League Soccer. They would go on to make playoffs in their first three seasons in the league, but they weren’t a team that would ever come close to contending MLS Cup in their initial years. Ten different goal-scorers have combined to score the Crew's 18 goals this season, so from a scoring standpoint, the Crew have the most balanced attack in MLS.
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