City is back in action on Saturday night on the road in Columbus after the midweek outing in the Nation's Capital. This is City's first meeting with Crew SC of 2019. Here is what you need to know about Columbus Crew SC:
Key Transactions:
City fans will remember Joe Bendik joined Crew SC in the offseason via trade but Joe Kempin has been the starter in the last three matches across all competitions. Robinho has been a positive addition for Crew SC as well with two assists this season only behind Federico Higuain.
Crew SC no longer has the likes of Justin Meram (traded to Atlanta) and Lalas Abubakar (season loan to Colorado), but the big name that Crew SC has parted ways with is Zack Steffen who will join Manchester City.
Key Injuries and Missing Pieces
We have to talk about this because Columbus will be without a handful of important figures on Saturday night. Crew SC's dynamic playmaker Federico Higuain will be out the rest of 2019 with a torn ACL as well as defender Milton Valenzuela. Higuain's five assists prior to his injury still lead the team. Winger David Accam is reported to have a hamstring strain so he could be out as well. Additionally, Crew SC's leading goalscorer Gyasi Zardes and midfielder Wil Trapp are out on international duty with the U.S. Men's National Team at the Gold Cup.
Who's Hot
Unfortunately for Crew SC, the guys that were in form and producing are out (Zardes leading in goals and Higuain leading in assists). Pedro Santos has four goals and is the only midfielder or forward with more than one to his name.
Recent Form
Crew SC is experiencing a poor run of form in their last five. The Columbus side has lost four and drawn one.
Head-to-head
City is 2-5-3 all-time against Columbus. Last year the two sides each got a win at home. City was in command in their last visit to Columbus but, well, we all remember the phantom foul.
Rasmussen College Fun Fact
Last year City took the win over Columbus at home with two penalty conversions against Zack Steffen who is historically known as a great penalty saver.
