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Columbus Crew SC wants all three points as the team returns to MAPFRE Stadium after a road win last week. They face an FC Dallas team that is still adapting to new head coach Luchi Gonzalez.
The Crew are coming off a great road result as they were able to defeat a punchless New England Revolution team last week in Foxborough. Gyasi Zardes opened his 2019 tally with a brace while a Zack Steffen lead defense shut out the home team.
FC Dallas opened the season with a tie against New England before beating the LA Galaxy last week They haven’t entirely found their footing as they adapt to the loss of head coach Oscar Pareja and the elevation of Academy coach in Gonzalez.
Live updates:
FULLTIME! Crew win 1-0 over FC Dallas.
90+4’ Sauro penalty shout is waved off. Dallas corner is cleared. A lot of pressure from the visitors now.
90’ Dallas takes a short corner, but foul before they can get off a shot. The Crew have to see out 5 minutes of stoppage.
88’ After a foul by Meram to set up a free kick. Steffen grabs a soft Dallas header. No danger from that.
84’ Crew defense is holding fast as the Dallas offense looks out of ideas even with possession in the final third.
79’ Robinho puts in a good first start. He’s replaced by Meram.
70’ Crew keeping FC Dallas in front of them. The visitors have been unable to unlock the Columbus defense.
Pomykal's press and playmaking. Steffen says no. #CLBvFCD pic.twitter.com/i9gWKpUpcl
— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) March 16, 2019
56’ Casual turnover turns into a Dallas chance. Steffen slows the shot and there’s a clearance from Sauro to stop the ball before it’s a goal.
53’ The Crew force Gonzalez into a turnover to Robinho inside the 18, but the defense responds and ends the chance.
Second half begins.
Halftime: Crew 1 - Dallas 0.
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41’ Dallas have a free kick from wide, but fail to get a shot out of it. Columbus eventually clear and have the ball again in the Dallas attacking third.
39’ A little bit of Crew possession turns into a Higuain shot from distance that goes well wide. That series deserved a little better shot.
37’ Dallas has quite a bit of the ball, but they can’t get into the attacking third. The Crew are content to selectively press and counter.
Dallas with the possession, but they don’t have the shots. #Crew96 with a 6-1 edge. pic.twitter.com/9HLLqFT9Xf
— Patrick Guldan (@GuldanMR) March 16, 2019
26’ Crew get a corner off another forced turnover takes a while for FC Dallas to clear. Columbus doesn’t even get a shot off.
22’ Robinho has a blast from distance. Gonzalez can only parry. Zardes sends the rebound over the goal. The Crew miss out on a 2nd goal.
18’ Robinho toe poke creates a midfield counter. The cross is deflected and the Crew chance is over.
17’ Game is stuck in the midfield. The Crew have deployed the counter press, but haven’t gotten a break from it.
Warning
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) March 16, 2019
We have another Gaston flick in sight #Crew96 | #CLBvFCD pic.twitter.com/4q5nZnC97a
10’ Crew GOAL! Gaston Sauro nods the Pedro Santos service from the corner into the far post. Columbus leads 1-0 early.
7’ A couple set pieces for Dallas that only results in a long distance shot.
1’ Higuain kicks off on a frosty day at MAPFRE Stadium.
Previews:
Nick Hudak looks at what to expect from the Crew and Dallas when they face off in his preview. The staff is giving the edge to the Black & Gold at home in the Massive Predictions. Pat Murphy gets the inside scoop from Drew Epperley of Big D Soccer on Gonzalez, the new Dallas style, and how fans are feeling about this FCD team.
Official Lineups:
The Crew:
We BACK. ✊
— Columbus Crew SC (@ColumbusCrewSC) March 16, 2019
Today’s #Crew96 Starting XI vs. @FCDallas
Coverage begins at 1:30pm ET on @FoxSportsOH#CLBvFCD pic.twitter.com/HhsN2fLVzI
FC Dallas:
.@ChickfilA Starting XI: Ryan Hollingshead moves from the left back role to the right with Marquinhos Pedroso making his first start of 2019. #CLBvFCD #DTID https://t.co/fvQAqcCAPq pic.twitter.com/SiC3KEEI2B
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) March 16, 2019
Injuries & Suspensions:
The Crew: The list is unchanged for Columbus as Milton Valenzuela is out for the season with a torn ACL. Niko Hansen is still recovering from a strain to his right thigh.
F.C. Dallas: The big news is that starting defender Reggie Cannon is out with an ankle sprain. Additionally, Forwards Cristian Colman and Francis Atuahene are on the long term injured list with a torn ACL and ruptured pectoral muscle respectively. Midfielder Jacori Hayes is still suffering from a hamstring injury.
How to watch:
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2019, 2:00 p.m. ET
Venue: MAPFRE Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
TV: FOX Sports Ohio
Radio: English: The Fan 97.1 / The Fan ”Listen Live” Spanish: ColumbusCrewSC.com
Stream: FOX Sports Go/ESPN+
Come back here once the lineups are announced to take part in our game thread. You can chat with members of our staff and other Crew fans throughout the match in the comment section below.