TONIGHT'S STARTING LINEUP
LAST REGULAR-SEASON MEETING
Columbus Crew and the New England Revolution last met earlier this season, when the Black & Gold traveled to Foxborough, Massachusetts on May 16 for a match at Gillette Stadium. New England Revolution forward Adam Buska scored the game's only goal in the 86th minute to give the Revolution a 1-0 win. Crew midfielder Liam Fraser made his first appearance for the Black & Gold in the match, entering as a substitute in the 67th minute.
ROOM RECORDS THIRD REGULAR-SEASON SHUTOUT
Goalkeeper Eloy Room recorded his third shutout of the 2021 MLS regular season in Sunday's match against Austin FC. The Curacao goalkeeper registered five saves against Austin FC, tying his season high number of saves (Opening Match against Philadelphia Union on April 18). Additionally, Room's clean sheet against Austin FC was Room's fifth shutout this season across all competitions, having anchored shutouts in both legs of the Round of 16 against Nicaraguan side Real Esteli FC in the 2021 Concacaf Champions League.
COLUMBUS CREW'S PERFORMANCE THROUGH 10 MATCHES COMPARED TO PREVIOUS REIGNING MLS CUP CHAMPIONS
Through 10 matches of the MLS regular-season, reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew have a 4-3-3 record (15 points, 1.5 PPG). Over the last 10 years, only four other reigning MLS Cup champions have accumulated 15 or more points through their first 10 matches the year after winning the trophy.
ZELARAYAN NOMINATED FOR ESPY AWARD
Columbus Crew midfielder Lucas Zelarayan was named as a nominee for Best MLS Player at the 2021 ESPY Awards. The defending MLS Newcomer of the Year is nominated alongside Toronto FC midfielder Alejandro Pozuelo, Los Angeles FC forward Diego Rossi, and Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake. Voting is live through Friday, July 9 and can be accessed on ESPYS.com via online or mobile.
DARLINGTON NAGBE: PASS MASTER
Through nine matches in the 2021 MLS regular season, midfielder Darlington Nagbe leads the League in passing accuracy among players who have attempted 50 or more passes. The midfielder has made nine starts while completing 417 of his 434 attempted passes for a passing accuracy percentage of 96.08%. Nagbe joined the Crew ahead of the 2020 MLS season and has made 24 regular-season appearances (23 starts) while scoring one goal and providing one assist.
