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Columbus Crew Look to Extend Winning Streak in Rematch Against New York City FC
The Columbus Crew are on a roll after a fantastic run in the 2024 Leagues Cup, and they’re hungry for more as they prepare to host New York City FC this Saturday. Fresh off a thrilling win over NYCFC in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, the Crew are laser-focused on keeping their momentum going in the MLS regular season.
Crew’s Strong Form and Recent Success
The Columbus Crew (13-4-7, 46 points) are firing on all cylinders, having snagged their second major title in less than a year with their Leagues Cup victory. Their recent face-off against NYCFC in the quarterfinals was a nail-biter, ending in a 1-1 draw before the Crew clinched the win on penalties. This victory was part of a five-match streak that showcased Columbus’ resilience and tactical brilliance.
Crew manager Wilfried Nancy has been masterful in rotating his squad to handle a packed schedule, most notably in a gritty 1-0 league win over the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night. In that game, Nancy strategically rested some of his top attacking players, only to bring on Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi in the second half. Hernandez wasted no time making an impact, assisting on Yaw Yeboah’s 75th-minute winner—his ninth assist of the season, adding to his 13 goals.
“I’m really proud of what they did because, again, it’s so difficult to play against this team with the intensity they bring,” Nancy said. “The fact that everybody was involved, and we could start with a few guys and finish with others while keeping the level high—even though everyone was tired—I really like that.”
NYCFC’s Quest for Redemption
New York City FC (11-9-6, 39 points) is itching to bounce back from their Leagues Cup exit at the hands of the Crew, viewing this rematch as a chance to see how much they’ve grown. NYCFC is just two spots behind the Crew in the Eastern Conference standings, making this showdown a critical opportunity in their playoff push.
“We know they’ve been really successful lately, but we held our own in that game, and it was pretty even in terms of possession and chances,” said NYCFC manager Nick Cushing. “It’s a tough place to play, but there are definitely parts of that game that have helped us prepare.”
NYCFC has been in a bit of a rut, struggling to turn draws into wins, with four straight league draws, including a frustrating 2-2 tie against the Chicago Fire last Saturday. In that match, NYCFC let a two-goal lead slip away, though Alonso Martinez continued his stellar season by netting both goals, bringing his total to 10 for the year.
Match Outlook
This rapid rematch between the Columbus Crew and NYCFC is shaping up to be a tight contest, with both teams having plenty to prove. The Crew are gunning to extend their winning streak and cement their spot near the top of the Eastern Conference, while NYCFC is eager to snap their draw streak and gain ground in the playoff race.
For Columbus, managing player fatigue while maintaining their high level of play despite a busy schedule will be key. On the other side, NYCFC needs to find the consistency to close out games if they want to secure a positive result.
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Conclusion
As the Columbus Crew face off against New York City FC in this highly anticipated rematch, both teams are determined to continue their strong form and improve their standings in the Eastern Conference. With the Crew’s depth and NYCFC’s drive for redemption, this matchup promises to be an exciting and crucial battle in the MLS season.
