Columbus Crew SC got off to the best possible start to kick off the 2020 season with a 1-0 win against the 10-men of New York City FC. The Black & Gold now face their first road test of the season against the Seattle Sounders, the defending MLS Cup champions.

The Crew’s 1-0 win was courtesy of new star Lucas Zelarayan’s brilliant goal at MAPFRE Stadium. Seattle needed similar heroics from their superstar Jordan Morris, who scored two goals off the bench to get the Sounders a 2-1 win against the Chicago Fire.

The Sounders are one of the few MLS teams that had to play competitive games in mid-February, as Seattle was knocked out by CD Olimpia on penalties in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Previews

Mike Crosky gives us a scouting report on the defending MLS champions. The Massive Report staff goes in-depth on their predictions for tonight’s contest. I did my weekly FIFA predicts to see if the Crew can take a win in the virtual Emerald City. Pat Murphy crossed the touchline with Sounder at Heart manager Mark Kastner to talk about the Sounders’ 2020 expectations.

Lineups:

Seattle Sounders (4-2-3-1): Stefan Frei (C), Kelvin Leerdam, Yeimar Gomez, Xavier Arreaga, Joevin Jones, Gustav Svensson, Joao Paulo, Miguel Ibarra, Cristian Roldan, Jordan Morris, Raul Ruidiaz

Columbus Crew (4-2-3-1): Eloy Room, Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah (C), Aboubacar Keita, Milton Valenzuela, Darlington Nagbe, Artur, Luis Diaz, Lucas Zelarayan, Pedro Santos, Gyasi Zardes

Injuries and suspensions:

Crew: Waylon Francis is OUT for tonight with a right knee injury and center back Vito Wormgoor is listed as QUESTIONABLE after getting stepped on last game. He has a slight ankle and rib injury.

Seattle Sounders: Will Bruin (right ACL tear), Nicolas Lodeiro (right hamstring tendinitis), and Handwalla Bwana (right quad strain) are all OUT. Midfielder Gustav Svensson is QUESTIONABLE with a left calf strain. Midfielder Jordy Delem is also QUESTIONABLE with a left hamstring strain.

How to watch:

Date: Saturday, March 8, 2020, 10:00pm EST

Venue: CenturyLink Field (Seattle, Washington)

TV: SportsTime Ohio

Radio: English: Columbus Crew YouTube - Spanish: Columbus Crew YouTube

Streaming: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN

Last five matches:

July 6, 2019: Columbus Crew 1, Seattle Sounders 2 (MAPFRE Stadium)

May 5, 2018: Seattle Sounders 0, Columbus Crew 0 (CenturyLink Field)

May 31, 2017: Columbus Crew 3, Seattle Sounders 0 (MAPFRE Stadium)

April 30, 2016: Seattle Sounders 1, Columbus Crew 0 (CenturyLink Field)

May 9, 2015: Columbus Crew 3, Seattle Sounders 2 (MAPFRE Stadium)