Massive Predictions: New England Revolution at Crew SC

After two consecutive weeks on the road, Columbus Crew SC returns to the friendly confines of MAPFRE Stadium this weekend, welcoming the New England Revolution to Columbus.

Unfortunately for the Black & Gold, those two road games resulted in back-to-back 1-0 losses in which Crew SC felt like the better team. That brings the losing streak to three games — after a 2-1 setback to the Vancouver Whitecaps the last outing at home — and Columbus is certainly in need of a win.

On the other side is the Revolution, who currently sit tied with the Black & Gold in the Eastern Conference standings with 10 points — although New England has played one fewer game.

This match marks the return of Brad Friedel to Columbus. The Lakewood, Ohio native played two seasons for Crew SC from 1996-97 and was named the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 1997. Hew is now in his first season coaching the Revs.

Both teams come into this contest hoping to get three points. Will either side do it? Let’s see what our staff believes.

Eliot McKinley

Coming home should provide a boost to Crew SC following three consecutive losses. Despite the losses, Columbus averaged 1.2 xG/game more than the team’s opponents during this slide. While the results were lacking, the team still created plenty of chances while playing solid defense (Columbus leads the league in xG against).

Three weeks ago, New England’s high pressure harried New York City FC’s defenders, making it difficult for City to play out of the back. I expect New England to employ similar tactics against Columbus, so Crew SC defenders must be careful in possession and not give up easy chances like the one that led to the Chicago Fire’s goal two weeks ago.

I see Columbus finally converting a couple chances and giving Revolution manager Brad Friedel a warm welcome home with a loss.
Columbus Crew SC 2 New England Revolution 1

Patrick Murphy

Crew SC have to be buzzing for this game, right? After losing three games in a row the team feels it should have won, these players must have woken up and realized they have to play at top notch each week in order to earn victories... right?

I think so. And coming home against a Revolution side that I don’t believe is very good, despite being tied on points with Columbus, is the remedy this team needs.

The offense finally starts converting the chances it has been missing the last two weeks, while the defense plays sound once again.
Columbus Crew SC 3 New England Revolution 1

Guilherme Torres

After three tough losses, Crew SC returns home under pressure to bounce back and the team has a good chance of doing so against the Revolution this Saturday. New England has a very similar campaign to the Black & Gold (10 points in six matches) and they are still a work in progress as head coach Brad Friedel recently took over and some of their most important players of past seasons, such as Lee Nguyen, Juan Agudelo and Kellyn Rowe, are not getting much playing time for a bunch of different reasons.

If all good things eventually come to an end, all that’s bad has to stop at some point as well and I believe it will be this weekend for Crew SC. Despite the bad results, the team has not performed poorly lately and the sense of urgency the situation brought to the roster should provide the energy needed to pull out a much-needed victory in front of the home fans.
Columbus Crew SC 1 New England Revolution 0

Ralph Schudel

I can’t get a beat on this game. The Revolution come into this match in good form, dropping their first game in four. New head coach Brad Friedel has his team in good spirits and playing well. Many people asked where the production would come from with the absence of Lee Nguyen and the fumbling performance of Krisztian Nemeth, but Teal Bunbury and Diego Fagundez fill the void admirably. The Revs defense proves shaky at times and let in the occasional easy goal. I expect this match to be a deadlock.
Columbus Crew SC 1 New England Revolution 1

Josh Mlot

I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. I think the Black & Gold get the results steered back in the right direction. New England has some vulnerabilities defensively, and I think the friendly confines of MAPFRE Stadium will be, well, friendly. The losing ends here (at least for the moment).
Columbus Crew SC 2 New England Revolution 1

Collin Johnson

While the prospect of a four-match losing streak is frightening for the morale of Crew SC, New England might just be the antidote to Columbus’ misfortune near the goal. During the last three matches, the Black & Gold have outperformed each of their opponents in expected goals (xG) while unfortunately giving up more goals than their opponents’ xG. At some point these numbers should begin to even out and my bet is this weekend back at Mapfre.
Columbus Crew SC 2 New England Revolution 0

Sam Fahmi

What to predict after a three game losing streak? Hopefully a win. We have seen this team play well. We know they are capable of being dangerous and creating chances. New England is a fairly middle-of-the-road team, and even less effective with Lee Nguyen not pulling the strings. On paper, Crew SC should win this game. On the field, that’s up to the players.
Columbus Crew SC 2 New England Revolution 1

Patrick Guldan

Columbus hasn’t been as bad as you’d think having a three-game losing streak. The team is getting chances and probably shouldn’t have been shutout over the last two games. The defense hasn’t really given up many good chances either. This is a team that should be winning, especially at home.

New England is a team that is still getting used to a new manager and has been up and down on the season. They have scintillating wins, like against Montreal, and struggles, like last week’s loss to FC Dallas. It’s not a team that has truly found it’s footing.

This is really a game that Crew SC should win. The team is at home and have been the “better” team over the course of the season, but hasn’t executed when needed to. The losing streak is the wake up call that this group needed and the “unlucky” streak ends and Columbus gets back on track.
Columbus Crew SC 2 New England Revolution 0

Nathaniel Marhefka

Crew SC has been struggling for goals lately, with a mere one finish in three matches. It was a concern of mine when Gyasi Zardes was brought in. He brings a lot of positives to the team, but his goal scoring record is inconsistent at best. Now whether it is to him or his supporting staff, Crew SC need to bag at least a double in this match.

New England may have three victories but there has been four red cards in their matches by their opponents. Should Columbus keep it clean I expect them to grab a victory against the Revs
Columbus Crew SC 2 New England Revolution 1

Now that our predictions are in the books, why don’t you give us yours? What do you think of the match on Saturday?