Massive Predictions: Columbus Crew SC at New England Revolution

It appeared the streak was over last Saturday. Columbus Crew SC, who have failed to win a match in 10 contents, had a late lead before everything fell apart. Again.

David Villa struck late, as the Black & Gold gave up the team’s 13th and 14th goal in the final 15 minutes of games this season, and a 3-3 draw was the final verdict.

Columbus, who still only sits seven points back of the final MLS Cup Playoffs spot, will go on the road this weekend looking to right the ship and do so without suspended midfielder Tony Tchani, who has started 13 games this year for Crew SC.

It’s a potential six-point swing in this contest as the New England Revolution sit one spot ahead of the Black & Gold in the Eastern Conference standings. The Revs have struggled of late with one win in the last four matches, which has seen the club drop in the East.

One win is something Crew SC fans would gladly take at this point, as it’s been since May 28 since they’ve seen their team to victory.

These two teams met in mid-July in a match that was focused on Kei Kamara against his old side. That ended in a 3-1 win for New England at home, but this is a healthier Columbus side this time around.

Speaking of winning games, let’s see what our staff thinks about this contest.

Patrick Murphy

If we could somehow get the Chicago Fire involved in this match, we’d have the three teams I think are the biggest dumpster fires at this moment in MLS.

With that said, I like what I saw from Crew SC last week against New York City. The team looked as much like the 2015 version as we’ve seen this season and both Justin Meram and Ethan Finlay, key cogs in last year’s group, finally got going. Defensive issues continue to creep up, but the Revs aren’t exactly a scoring machine.

With the problems New England is having right now, I think Columbus could have some success and build off last week’s performance. I’m just not sure that’s enough to win on the road for the first time this year.
Columbus Crew SC 2  New England Revolution 2

Sam Fahmi

Editor’s Note: Sam submitted a prediction not up to snuff to Massive Report’s loft standards. If you wish to hear his thoughts, you may seek him out.
Columbus Crew SC 2  New England Revolution 2

Patrick Guldan

Crew SC are terrible this year, but especially terrible on the road. Of their 10 games, they are 0-7-3 for 3 points. They’ve scored seven goals and given up 18. That’s a -11 road goal differential. Now they are going to New England, without Tony Tchani to solidify the midfield. Mohammed Saied has many talents, but physical play isn’t one of them. The home side takes control of the middle while the Crew SC offense struggles on the turf.
New England Revolution 2  Columbus Crew SC 1

Nathaniel Marhefka

The team showed last week that they have passion and they want it. But is it enough? Nicolai Naess is a bright addition, the team is playing with more aim, having Justin Meram and Ethan Finlay back on the score sheet is certainly a promising mark, but again, is it enough?

I do not think so.

Last meeting against New England saw a 3-1 loss for Columbus. Jay Heap's set up terrorized the Crew, with a well devised pressing scheme and a simple yet superbly effective offensive strategy: Play it long and stretch the Crew defense.

Expect New England to utilize Kei Kamara as a target forward, Lee Nguyen as a roaming No. 10 to split the Crew lines while utilizing overlaps to gain access to the Crew 18-yard box. Columbus' defense is far too passive, deep, and unresponsive to deal with this strategy so I expect a similar match to the last in New England.

Crew will be hungry, so expect them to attack, but it is Berhalter after all - so don't expect any changes to be too drastic.
New England Revolution 4  Columbus Crew SC 2

Josh Mlot

It would be really easy to suddenly have some faith after a valiant effort a week ago, but I'm not buying it yet. Especially when there was another lost lead. I think both of these teams have issues, but give New England the edge here because they're at home and Crew SC will be without Tony Tchani (not that he's been a consistent difference maker, but it still leaves the team shorthanded). I think this will be close, but I said I won't feel comfortable picking Columbus until it shows me I have good reason too. They still haven't.
New England Revolution 2  Columbus Crew SC 1

Let us know what you think about this game in the comment section below.