Game Thread: Columbus Crew SC vs. New York City FC

After a single game at home in both July and August, Columbus Crew SC is finally back at MAPFRE with three games in September. The team has a chance to climb the standings against a New York City FC team just ahead of them in the standings.

Crew SC have fallen back to the pack in the standings and are a single point ahead of the Union. A loss would possibly see them fall to fifth in the standings with the possibility of drifting towards the red line.

New York City FC has been struggling to find their footing under new head coach Domènec Torrent. They have run through lineups and formations trying to find a system that’s consistent. Thier form has suffered recently and they’ve fallen behind Atlanta and Red Bulls and are safely in third.

Live updates:

89’ Crew SC substitution: Josh Williams on for Higuain.

86’ NYCFC get a goal but the flag goes up to take it off the board. Definitely offside there.

85’ Zardes in on goal and can’t tie his career high. He curls it off the post!

84’ Santos with a diving header that narrowly misses giving Crew SC a 3-1 lead.

80’ A low cross is deflected by Johnson right before Zardes’ sliding effort taps it home.

78’ Meram slips Santos in but his shot is into the side netting.

71’ Zardes plays Mearm across in the penalty are and J9 just misses.

63’ Santos’ corner hits off Meram’s hand it looks like. No review. Goal stands. 2-1 Crew SC.

61’ Afful fires one shot from long range that deflects back to him and he hits another one from 25ish and curls it into the corner of the goal. 1-1

53’ And NYCFC takes a 1-0 lead against the run of play. A ball bounces right to Tajouri-Shradi and he slots it home.

52’ Zardes has the ball in the six with his back to goal but can’t get an effort off. Ball bounces around but no shot on target for Crew SC.

47’ Higuain’s cross finds Zardes and it’s JUST wide! So close!

46’ CrewSC kicks off to start the second half.

HT: Crew SC 0 NYCFC 0

42’ Meram is a meat hook from inside the penalty area but Johnson makes a diving save. Another chance for J9.

33’ Santos with a crafty pass into Meram on the back side of the box. He looked destined to pick a corner but Johnson makes a save.

32’ Meram puts in a rebound off Johnson but the flag goes up for offside. No goal.

27’ A turnover at the back leads to a good chance for #NYCFC but a chipped attempt can’t beat Steffen.

8’ Meram goes down in the box and thought it was a sure foul. No call, no review. Then Zardes heads Valenzuela’s cross wide.

11’ Ibeagha puts a header on frame but Steffen is able to collect with ease.

9’ Awful with a nice through ball looking for Higuain from out wide but Pipa can’t take the right touch to do anything with it.

1’ We’re underway from MAPFRE Stadium as NYCFC kicks off.

Previews:

Ralph Schudel scouts New York. The staff feels good as Crew SC finally come home from a long road trip. The team sees tonight’s game as a big first step to turning around a sluggish summer and push to the playoffs.

Official Lineups:

Injuries & Suspensions:

Columbus Crew SC: Eduardo Sosa is out with knee surgery and is working his way back in practice. Cristian Martinez returned from national team duty with a left ankle injury.

NYCFC: Several Citizens are out with injury. Yangel Herrera’s ankle injury has him out for season. Defender Cedric Hountondji and midfielder Jesus Medina have hamstring injuries that has kept him out of action. Backup striker Jo Inge Berget’ adductor injury also keeps him out of action. Stalwart defender Alex Callens is questionable knee injury.

How to watch:

Date: Saturday, September 1st, 2018, 8:00 p.m. ET

Venue: MAPFRE Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)

TV: CW Columbus, Spectrum Sports, BCSN2

Radio: English: CD102.5 FM / ColumbusCrewSC.com Spanish: ColumbusCrewSC.com

Stream: ESPN+