United continue their long stretch of road matches this Saturday when they travel to MAPFRE Stadium to face Columbus Crew SC (7:30 PM, NewsChannel 8) after their loss to the Philadelphia Union last weekend. “Everyone has short memories around here,” head coach Ben Olsen said. “We’re ready to put that to bed and have a good response to a tough loss.”
United, who are currently ahead of the Crew in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand (Columbus play Wednesday night), have historically struggled in Columbus; they haven’t won there since 2007. But the Crew have been dealing with their own challenges; they’ve gone seven matches without a win, and in their last four regular season games, the Crew have been outscored nine goals to five. While United have had to cope with injuries to attacking pieces Patrick Nyarko and Chris Rolfe, among others, the Crew have been without the services of Federico Higuain since his hernia surgery in mid-June. Conor Casey is also questionable after spraining his right knee earlier this month.
Meanwhile on the defensive side of the field, Steven Birnbaum made his return to MLS action last Saturday when he played all 90 minutes for the Black-and-Red against Philadelphia. In the 11 matches Birnbaum played in before leaving for U.S. National Team duty, United allowed less than a goal a game. The Black-and-Red have allowed a total of 20 goals this season, fourth-fewest in the league, while the Crew SC have allowed 29, tied for the fifth-most.
Birnbaum and the Black-and-Red defense will have to deal with a familiar name but new face in Crew SC forward Ola Kamara, who has scored an impressive eight goals this season, four of which have come in his last four games. Midfielder Ethan Finlay, who leads the team with six assists, is another strong offensive weapon, as is Justin Meram, who leads the Crew with 41 shots (16 on goal).
United’s newest acquisition, former New York Red Bulls midfielder Lloyd Sam, has joined up with his new teammates in Washington and could see action this weekend. Sam, who has one goal and four assists so far this season, has scored three goals against the Crew in his career. “He’s one of the best guys in the league in getting crosses off and connecting with forwards,” Olsen said. “But, he’s a two-way player. He’s a guy that understands when to go and attack.”
After 62 meetings in the regular season since 1996, the two teams have won and lost the exact same amount of games: 26. The Eastern Conference matchup kicks off at 7:30 PM on NewsChannel 8.
