Following a three-week international break, the Columbus Crew resumes league play on Saturday night when it hosts MLS expansion side Charlotte FC and celebrates Soccer For All Night at Lower.com Field.
Three Things to Know
XI? – The main storyline for the Black & Gold is player availability ahead of the first match. In some cases, players will be returning from across the planet following stints with their national team. Miloš Degenek, for example, was just in Qatar and helped Australia qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
But then there are also notable injuries that may impact head coach Caleb Porter’s lineup. During this three-week break, Porter mentioned Lucas Zelarayán, Artur and Pedro Santos all have injuries with different return dates. The impression was that these injuries wouldn’t linger, but it could impact who suits up Saturday night. Captain Jonathan Mensah is also recovering from a head injury he sustained for Ghana in an African Cup of Nations Qualifier.
19 – Charlotte FC enters the weekend with 19 points from 15 games, and it currently maintains the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. For comparison, Columbus has 16 points from 13 matches played. But Saturday will be interim head coach Christian Lattanzio’s first road match in charge of the team since Miguel Ángel Ramírez was relieved of his duties on May 31. Charlotte beat the New York Red Bulls last weekend, 2-0, and is 6-2-0 at home. The team is 0-6-1 on the road.
Soccer For All – Saturday’s Soccer For All Night is meant to honor and welcome all supporters, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status. Before the game, fans are encouraged to participate in the March to the Match, with the main rallying point being the Battelle Plaza. The Lower.com Field Plaza will have a backdrop for supporters to share what Soccer For All means to them. Local musician T Wong will also perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” in honor of Juneteenth – commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans in the U.S. – before singing the national anthem before kickoff. Players will also wear Juneteenth-inspired numbers on their jerseys, which will be available for auction.
Proceeds from Crew jerseys will benefit the VOYCENOW Foundation.
When They Last Met
Saturday marks the first time these clubs have met in league play. They did clash during the preseason, however, in the Carolina Challenge Cup. That match ended in a scoreless draw on Feb. 15.
Match Overview
Who: Columbus Crew hosts Charlotte FC
When: Saturday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lower.com Field
Tickets: Click here to purchase
How to Watch: Bally Sports Great Lakes, Bally Sports App (stream), ESPN+ (Out of Market)
How to Listen: 97.1 The Fan (English), ColumbusCrew.com (Spanish)
Current Stands: Crew – Tenth in Eastern Conference; Charlotte – Seventh in Eastern Conference
Columbus Crew vs. Charlotte FC | Soccer for All Night
Be here as the newest team in MLS visits Lower.com Field for the first time!
