D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew staff and reader predictions

Who’s ready for some midweek MLS? D.C. United haven’t had much time to recover from their disappointing 2-0 loss to New York City FC on Sunday, and they’re away this evening in Columbus—but let’s hope they’re ready.

Confusingly, although the Black-and-Red have left a lot to be desired in their recent home games, their road performance hasn’t been so bad. MLS, baby! Oh, and because this is MLS, we’ll be seeing the Columbus Crew again in just a couple games.

Let’s make some predictions for this one.

Donald Wine II

This is the first of two matches against the Crew in the next 10 days, and the Black-and-Red need a result. It will be a sluggish night at the office, and in the end, I think United gets one. Though, it won’t be one we like. Titi Rodriguez gets us on the board, but Columbus also gets one to make it a 1-1 draw.

Ryan Keefer

This may be the first time I think a D.C. team with Wayne Rooney presumably starting doesn’t win. Steven Streff outlined the perils of playing in Ohio for D.C., D.C. remains reeling and without Russell Canouse in midfield. Columbus got thumped at home over the weekend also (to the Portland Timbers) and like D.C., they also have a weekend match with a Western Conference team and will also be looking to right the ship. And I think they do so, with Gyasi Zardes’ first half goal and Pedro Santos’ second half one being the difference in a 2-0 Crew win.

Adam Taylor

United have won two in a row on the road and failed to score in three straight home games. Nothing makes sense. With the current rut the team is in offensively, I think the struggles continue in Columbus. Gyasi Zardes heads one in early after a midfield turnover, and despite the Black-and-Red starting to figure things out in the second half, that goal stands up thanks to some Zach Steffen heroics and bad finishing. 1-0 yellow team.

Jason Anderson

I suspect United will opt for the 3421 again, and we’re probably going to see a more counter-attacking game plan against the Crew, who have the benefit of an extra day’s rest to go with being at home. I think that formation shift helps confound the Crew a bit during a mostly even, uneventful first half, but Robinho strikes just before halftime after a bit of bad luck strikes at the wrong end of the field. United’s counter looks more dangerous as the game wears on, though, and with Bill Hamid holding down the fort in an increasingly stretched finale, Donovan Pines heads home a late, late equalizer off of a Rooney dead ball. 1-1.

BlasianSays

Even considering recent results for D.C., there is a little, tiny bit of room for optimism about this away match at Columbus. The Crew just got beaten by the Western Conference’s 11th place team, Portland, at home by a score of 3-1. That being said, I’m not optimistic. This team is not threatening right now. They’ve mustered seven shots on target over the last three games. To put this in perspective, NYCFC had six in their 2-0 win over D.C. last weekend. I think United defends well on Wednesday, but Columbus runs out with a 1-0 win via a Gaston Sauro header on a set piece.

Leanne Elston

I’m not feeling super confident in this team right now, but I also think that, weirdly, DCU get some sort of result here. Basically I’m predicting this because I feel like what I actually think is always wrong (and maybe, deep down, I actually think this will be a loss). So! Let’s go with a draw, but not a particularly exciting one. 1-1 is the final.

What do you think will happen in tonight’s game? Share your prediction in the comments!