D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew: 10 Bold Predictions
Apr 19, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Wil Trapp (20) steals the ball from D.C. United forward Fabian Espindola (9) during the second half at Crew Stadium. D.C. United and the Crew finished the game in a 1-1 tie. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports
Ben Olsen’s D.C. United and Gregg Berhalter’s Columbus Crew are locked in a tight race in the MLS Eastern Conference, and so both sides will aim for all three points when they meet today at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. United are currently 6-4-3 (21 points) while the Crew are 4-5-5 (17 points). Both are chasing the New England Revolution, who have lost a little steam but remain the main Beast from the East.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by MLS LIVE. Here are 10 Bold Predictions for today’s match between D.C. United and the Columbus Crew.
1. Eddie Johnson will score
If there is one trigger man that knows how to finish, it’s Eddie Johnson. Now it’s been tough sletting for the Grown-Arsenal Man, as he is known in many soccer circles (we had to water it down for the sake of this piece, our apologies), but when he scores, EJ brings energy. And EJ will bring the energy with his second goal for D.C. this season.
2. Look out, here comes Fabian Espindola with a brace!
Fabian Espindola has made a name for himself, scoring seven goals this season for D.C. United. Against the Crew, Espindola will get a brace to continue his hotstreak.
3. Bill Hamid with under five saves
D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid will have a quiet day in goal for his team. This season, Hamid had 34 saves to his credit and against Columbus, the MLS Multiplex is hereby predicting under five stops for Hamid today.
4. Chris Rolfe with an assist
This season, Chris Rolfe has three assists and is a secondary provider for D.C. United. In this match, Rolfe will continue his role as a leading member of the supporting cast with at least one assist.
5. At least five saves for Steve Clark
Columbus Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark has 43 saves this season, and he will have a certain Fabian Espindola putting him on notice. Clark will make at least five saves today in the nation’s capital.
6. Justin Meram will score
Justin Meram hasn’t been scoring as much, with just two goals to show for it. However, against D.C. United, Meram will pull one back late, although it may come too late.
7. No dice for Dominic Oduro
There might be a possibility that Crew forward Dominic Oduro breaks out of his shell. The MLS Multiplex says, “Not so fast, my friend.” (Apologies, Lee Corso.) Oduro will not score on D.C. United today.
However, it was reported by The American Pitch that Oduro was traded to Toronto FC, so, instead, we change it to….
No dice for Bernardo Anor
This season, Bernardo Anor has two goals in MLS play. Defenders don’t score in droves, and scoring is a bit opportunistic, i.e. headers. The MLS Multiplex boldly predicts…all quiet on Anor’s end.
8. No goals for Ethan Finlay
Even though Ethan Finlay has been an offensive spark plug for the Columbus Crew, he will have it tough against D.C. United. Finlay will another notable Crew member that will come up against against the home team.
9. At least 40 fouls and four cards
With both teams in the top five of the MLS Eastern Conference, this game will have the intensity of a playoff match as Columbus and D.C. chase New England. This game will have at least 40 fouls and four cards of any color.
10. D.C. United defends home turf
This season, D.C. United have rediscovered their winning edge and will look to leapfrog ahead of Sporting Kansas City and New England with a big win at home. A victory by Columbus will put them in the thick of things, but here at the MLS Multiplex, we are sticklers for home field advantage.
D.C. United 3, Columbus Crew 1