GameThread: D.C. United At Columbus Crew

by Martin Shatzer on Jun 26, 2025 5:30 PM EDT

United takes their six game undefeated streak in all competitions on the road to Columbus tonight. Not exactly the place that I would choose to re-open the 2010 campaign after a two and a half week break.

Game time: 7:30 pm EST

Television: Comcast SportsNet

Projected Starting Lineup:

		Perkins
McTavish	Jakovic		James	Burch
	Simms		King
Najar				Pontius
	Quaranta		Allsopp

Last minute thoughts: The team's fullbacks will be under a lot of pressure tonight as the highest scoring team in the Eastern Conference comes to town. The Crew utilize one dynamic and creative attacker who will specifically seek out holes in our backline, and two quick and competentent wingers who will look to send in crosses to their tall and pesky striker. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Eddie Gaven, Robbie Rogers, and Steven Lenhart will all look to exploit our depleted backline.

United's injury list does seem to give us some indication as to how that backline will be shaped, with Marc Burch listed as probable for his first league appearance of the season. Jordan Graye is listed as questionable and Juan Manuel Pena is probable, so there is a chance that we will see something different, but with Julius James coming off his best match in years, I think the line above is the best bet. I'm expecting to see the same midfield as we saw in United's 3-2 victory in Seattle, so the only other question will be whether to start Danny Allsopp or Luciano Emilio up top.

This is your place for pre-game, in-game, and post-game thoughts.

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Read More: Steven Lenhart (F - COL), Eddie Gaven (MIDFIELDER - COL), Robbie Rogers (MIDFIELDER - COL), Marc Burch (DEFENDER - WAS), Julius James (DEFENDER - WAS), Jordan Graye (DEFENDER - HOU), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (MIDFIELDER - COL), DC United, Columbus Crew

Comments

Pre-grilling thoughts

I’d rather see Cristman start with Tino. Cristman’s scoring goals, and he’s our hardest working forward. I think pressuring Columbus might help us get a foothold in this game (since they’ve been pretty poor in the past few weeks), and staying even early will tempt their wide men into playing more narrow. Allsopp is far from lazy, but until he starts looking sharper in front of goal I’ll take the more…shall we say “rustic” skill set from Cristman.

Tonight’s game is about responsible play for us. This is a Crew team that has been frustrated because they’re, by recent standards, underperforming. We need to frustrate them and bring that simmering anger out. If we can get the Crew to lose their discipline (retaliation, fouling, positional discipline, focus while shooting, etc), I like our chances at taking points tonight. If Peter Nowak was still here, he’d emphasize “mentality” even more than normal tonight.

Black and Red United

by ChestRockwell on Jun 26, 2025 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

Sigh. At least this’ll get my mind off the U.S. loss today.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Jun 26, 2025 6:43 PM EDT reply actions

United lineup

Right to left

Perkins; McTavish, Jakovic, James, Graye; Najar, Simms, King, Pontius; Quaranta, Cristman

Bench: Hamid, Pena, Rice, Morsink, Moreno, Allsopp, Emilio

Black and Red United

by ChestRockwell on Jun 26, 2025 7:02 PM EDT reply actions

Looks like you got your wish with Cristman starting. Hopefully he can do as well playing a full 90 as he’s been doing as a sub lately.

Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.

by Martin Shatzer on Jun 26, 2025 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Columbus team

Hesmer, Brunner, Marshall, Padula, Renteria, Carroll, Gaven, Moffat, Rogers, Garey, Schelotto

Not sure if that’s going to be a 352 or if Moffat will play right back and Gaven center midfield in their more typical 4231/4411.

Black and Red United

by ChestRockwell on Jun 26, 2025 7:13 PM EDT reply actions

Adam Cristman

Is rewarding Chest’s confidence by having a fantastic game so far

Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.

by Martin Shatzer on Jun 26, 2025 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

Anyone have a working stream?

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Jun 26, 2025 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

I'm getting worried.

Columbus isn’t going to keep being this flat. DCU needs one.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Chris Pendley on Jun 26, 2025 8:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Hoping this won’t turn into another one of those early season matches where United had lots of chances in the first half but drops two goals in the second…

Match has been very even so far. Both teams with good chances. Some good defending, some missed opportunities. A draw is looking like it would be a fair result so far but we’ll see how the second 45 shapes up.

Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.

by Martin Shatzer on Jun 26, 2025 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions

This feels like a 1-0 loss right now.

Maybe the World Cup has changed my opinion on this, but I felt it was crucial DC picked up a goal while they dominated play. They had plenty of chances, but the lack of finishing was painful.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Chris Pendley on Jun 26, 2025 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Any sub requests?

I don’t think Onalfo is going to let Jordan Graye go the full 90 since he hasn’t been at full strength in practice and has had some miscues.

Not sure which reserve forward I most want to see. Allsopp, Emilio, or Moreno?

Managing Editor for BlackAndRedUnited.com. Weekend Writer for SBNation DC.

by Martin Shatzer on Jun 26, 2025 8:33 PM EDT reply actions

Of those, Allsopp.

I kind of think Emilio / Moreno will just get eaten alive, and DC has been able to wreak havoc on counters. I think they’d just slow us down. Honestly, I think Graye should go - maybe replace him with Rice? I’m not sure who’d go in his place.

For some reason, I want to see Pontius and Quaranta shifted; maybe Pena can come in and move James out. Not sure how much that would screw balance up.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Chris Pendley on Jun 26, 2025 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

So yeah; this Columbus pressure was what I was concerned about.

Simulated Gameday Experience - just like the real thing, only we have smoke machines.

by Chris Pendley on Jun 26, 2025 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh, I hope JJ is okay.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Jun 26, 2025 8:45 PM EDT reply actions

Also: as weird as it is to adjust to MLS soccer after watching the World Cup, I welcome back the lower amount of diving.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Jun 26, 2025 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

Well... there you go.

Go USA, Braves, BU Terriers, Irish, Caps, Colts, Hoyas, NU Cats, Wizards, DC United, Washington Freedom
BU Hockey: National Champions 1971, 1972, 1978, 1995, 2009

by SuperNewb on Jun 26, 2025 8:51 PM EDT reply actions