Projected Lineup: Crew vs. LA Galaxy

After five consecutive losses, Columbus Crew SC will try to end its losing streak against one of the best teams in Major League Soccer currently as the Black & Gold host the LA Galaxy at MAPFRE Stadium on Wednesday.

The team’s current form could be enough to prompt head coaches around the world to promote a handful of lineup changes, but I don’t see Caleb Porter following that route mainly because he doesn’t have obvious ones to make, especially after the Crew traded winger Justin Meram to the Atlanta United.

With that said, this is how I expect the Black & Gold to line up against the Galaxy:

Joe Bendik, Josh Williams, David Guzman, Niko Hansen, Eduardo Sosa, Patrick Mullins, JJ Williams.

Footnotes:

• Porter has been rotating a lot between Gaston Sauro and Josh Williams in central defense and I expect the Argentinean to get the nod after not playing last weekend against D.C. United. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is obviously tough to deal with and Sauro’s big body could be helpful on that task.
• David Guzman trained just twice with the Crew after he was signed, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him taking Ricardo Clark’s spot at the bench already. The Costa Rican has already earned Porter’s trust in Portland and he is the kind of player who offers several alternatives to the coach.
• Playing at home and desperately needing to win, I expect Porter to have as many offensive pieces as possible in the bench. Outside of goakeeper Joe Bendik, Williams and Guzman, I believe the coach will bring Niko Hansen, JJ Williams, Patrick Mullins and Eduardo Sosa, who would return to the game day roster over Luis Argudo because of this attacking game.

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Do you agree with this lineup? If you were the coach, which players/formation would you send out to the field against the Galaxy? Join the discussion and let us know in the comments section bellow