MLS is Back: Group E Preview

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COLUMBUS, OH – AUGUST 10: Columbus Crew SC forward Pedro Santos #7 celebrates a goal during the match between Columbus Crew SC and FC Cincinnati at MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on August 10, 2019. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Columbus Crew

2019 Record: 10th in the Eastern Conference

2020 Results: 1-0 win vs. NYCFC, 1-1 draw vs. Seattle Sounders

Head Coach: Caleb Porter

Projected Starters: Eloy Room; Milton Valenzuela, Jonathan Mensah, Harrison Afful, Aboubacar Keita; Artur, Darlington Nagbe, Pedro Santos, Lucas Zelarayan, Luis Diaz; Gyasi Zardes

The Columbus Crew are the wildcard of Group E. Where Atlanta and New York would be the typical leaders, Columbus appear as potential spoilers. Their first two matches almost got away from them, and a red card nearly all but guaranteed the win against NYCFC, but cohesion between Nagbe, Artur, and the two center-backs has proven vital in stopping opposing attacks.

Next. MLS is Back: Eastern Conference Tactics. dark

Zelarayan is primed to be the key to this Columbus side which has struggled to score goals the past two seasons. All of a sudden, Zardes may not have the spotlight, and that could potentially give him the room to shine. Caleb Porter’s team is dangerous, very dangerous.

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