Undefeated Orlando City travel to Mapfre Stadium to take on the Columbus Crew.
Orlando City arrive on the back of a 2-1 win over Philadelphia Union.
Columbus, meanwhile, stunned Portland Timbers with a 3-2 victory.
Last time out in Cowtown.
#CLBvORL set for this Saturday.
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 28, 2017
We'll never forget when Pipa did this. #TekkersTuesday pic.twitter.com/nDtUrEnzxT
Columbus
Portland entered the fray running on all cylinders but missing USMNT cap winner Darlington Nagbe. From the looks of it, Coach Gregg Berhalter’s gameplan seemed to take that into account.
Depending on Portland’s offense to struggle slightly while missing Nagbe, he set up the Crew to go straight at a suspect defense. Matching Portland’s aggression and ultimately topping it, the Crew did just that.
Federico Higuain and company went straight down the Timbers throats, putting on a clinic in 1-2 passing. The Crew owned possession to the tune of 65% leading to consistent aggressive penetration of the final third.
Wait, there was a trade?
Columbus made a big move yesterday, as it was revealed that they traded Tony Tchani and $300K of Allocated Money to the Vancouver Whitecaps for Kekuta Manneh. Having at best a day to train with his new squad, Manneh seems destined to be a late substitute against Orlando City.
"In Kekuta [Manneh], we feel like we have one of the most promising young players in the League." Gregg on #CrewSC acquiring the striker. pic.twitter.com/VSp1tqA2zX
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) March 30, 2017
Predicted Starting XI
Here's tonight's #CrewSC Starting XI, presented by @MAPFREIns.#CLBvPOR pic.twitter.com/TDjZD6AMo1
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) March 25, 2017
Orlando City
No Kaka? No problem.
Orlando City are riding the highs of another home win in their new stadium.
Antonio Nocerino looks to be having a much better year in the midfield. He was an offensive catalyst against the Union with his passes finding Carlos Rivas and Perez Garcia early and often.
With two goals in the last match, and three on the year, Cyle Larin is setting MLS on fire. In fact, he’s attracted some minor interest from EPL clubs, one being supposed link being to Everton.
Head coach Jason Kreis says the Orlando City has received no formal offers for Cyle Larin, EPL speculation is just that at this point.
— Alicia Del Gallo (@OSAliciaD) March 29, 2017
Luis Gil is rumored to be joining Orlando City soon on loan. Danny Toia, like Joe Bendik a few weeks before, has extended his contract with the club.
Predicted Starting XI
Your Starting XI for #ORLvPHI. Pregame show kicks off in 15 minutes on @WRDQ27! pic.twitter.com/aoIDzF5L8w
— x - Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) March 18, 2017
Prediction
The Lions weren’t able to match up against Columbus last season, but this season, they brought in Jonathan Spector to marshal what has proven to be a formidable back line. That back line and a hot Cyle Larin may not be enough to overcome the Crew, however.
Spared the barbs of traveling in Week 2, this will be Orlando City’s first away match of the season, and I fear that will be their undoing. Columbus has played 4 straight weeks in a row while Orlando City has only played twice, basically every other week.
The past international break allows teams to reset things on the training pitch but it could do Orlando City a disservice robbing them of much needed match fitness.
Columbus should dominate possession while Orlando sits back and looks to counterattack as often as they can. We’ll see if Orlando City is able to hold on for a draw, but I don’t think they will.
Kickoff is at 4 EST.
Next: Worst MLS Designated Player Signings in History
How to Watch
Columbus & Orlando City TV: Unimas, Facebook Live, MLS LIVE
Radio: Columbus: CD 102.5 FM (English) and La Mega 103.1 FM (Spanish) / Orlando City: 104.1 FM (English), La Granda 1030 AM or La Nueva 990 AM (Spanish)