The Columbus Crew play their final regular-season match before the Leagues Cup on Saturday night when they travel south to face Atlanta United FC – the side the Club played in the season opener.
Numbers to Know
3 – Through 22 matches, the reigning league champions have 43 points – their most to start a season in Club history. Unbeaten in their last 10, the Black & Gold have also won five of their last six games on the road. No matter what happens in Atlanta, the Crew will enter the Leagues Cup break third in the Eastern Conference standings, despite playing two fewer matches than first-place Inter Miami CF and second-place FC Cincinnati. Wednesday night might’ve been a draw with Charlotte FC, but it arrived on the heels of the best road performance of the season. Let’s see what Saturday brings in a 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs rematch.
20 – The Black & Gold holds a league-best 20 goals conceded through 22 matches played, which is tied with the 2020 season for the fewest goals allowed by the Crew through 22 matches in Club history. (Of course, that season finished with an MLS Cup). But Columbus has only allowed three goals in the past six games – while scoring 21. Patrick Schulte might be with the U.S. playing in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, but Nicholas Hagen stepped up Wednesday night and made his first MLS start. Atlanta was the second-best scoring team behind Columbus in league play last season but lost key players that should give the Crew the edge.
12 – Well, things done changed for Atlanta. In preseason, this club looked destined for an MLS Cup push. But after 25 games played, United is fourth bottom in the Eastern Conference with 24 points. More importantly, the club lost its two prolific stars via the transfer window. Argentine playmaker Thiago Almada recently joined Brazilian side Botafogo on loan, while Greek forward Giorgios Giakoumakis departed for Liga MX club Cruz Azul. Yes, Atlanta drew, 2-2, against New York City FC on Wednesday night, but this isn’t the same team that visited the Ohio capital for 2024 Crewsmas.
9 – Focus on Saba Lobjanidze for Atlanta, who leads the team with six goals and five assists. Despite only playing 29 league matches since joining United last season, he’s already accumulated nine goals and nine assists. With a goal and an assist against NYCFC during the midweek match, let’s see how he handles MLS’ best backline.
When They Last Met
The Crew won, 1-0, when the clubs met in the 2024 curtain raiser at Lower.com Field. Cucho Hernandez scored for Columbus. As for the last game in Atlanta, the home side won, 4-2, in Match 2 of the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. That was the only match the Crew lost en route to the 2023 MLS Cup. In the last regular season match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the teams drew, 1-1, on Oct. 7, 2023.
Match Overview
Who: Columbus Crew at Atlanta United FC
When: Saturday, Jul. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
How to Watch: MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app
How to Listen: La Grande 102.5 FM | Alt 105.7 FM | iHeart Radio app
