2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 7
New York City FC vs. Columbus Crew SC
Red Bull Arena – Harrison
August 24 – 7:00 PM ET
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada
LOCAL TV: FOX Sports Ohio, YES
Is Week 7 too early for a must-win game? It feels that way for New York City FC, who are desperate to reverse course against the red-hot Columbus Crew SC at Red Bull Arena Monday night.
NYCFC have lost five of their first six league games, with four of those defeats via a 1-0 scoreline. That includes the latest chapter of the Hudson River Derby, although the goal they conceded was hotly contested. Conversely, Crew SC picked up where they left off in Orlando with a convincing 3-0 victory over Chicago Fire FC in their regular season restart. One of three undefeated teams remaining this season, Caleb Porter's squad has a goal differential of +11 and have conceded just once.
NYCFC have enjoyed a distinct home field advantage through the years, but the club were forced to move their home games in Phase 1 from Yankee Stadium to Red Bull Arena due to the New York Yankees congested schedule in MLB's restart.
This is the second meeting this year, with Crew SC winning 1-0 at MAPFRE Stadium March 1. Lucas Zelarayan scored the lone goal against 10-man NYCFC, which saw Maxime Chanot sent off in the third minute for DOGSO.
New York City FC
The decisive moment against the Red Bulls came when Sean Johnson bobbled Kyle Duncan's shot, chasing it back toward his goal and pouncing on the ball. Following Video Review referee Allen Chapman ruled the entire goal had crossed the line, a ruling NYCFC players and staff disagreed with.
But coach Ronny Deila said that goal was coming, with NYCFC abandoning the game plan in the second half. Now, it's gut-check time for a team largely unchanged from the one that finished atop the east a year ago. The question is will the influential Maxi Moralez be back from a nagging calf injury?
“That’s something we have to work ourselves out of. It’s not a quick solution,” Deila said. “Everybody, including myself, has to really dig deep and find that strength and that belief and that power that makes you come out to the pitch and bounce back. That’s what we’re going to do now on Monday.”.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Sebastien Ibeagha (D) - hamstring injury
- OUT: Gedion Zelalem (M) - knee injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Maxi Moralez (M) - calf injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (M) - hamstring injury
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Columbus Crew SC
There's arguably not a better, more complete team in Major League Soccer through six weeks than Columbus Crew SC. Porter has rotated his lineup, he's dealt with injuries and yet, to this point, there's no stopping this train.
Pure class at the MLS is Back Tournament, Crew SC showed no rust in their restart with a comprehensive 3-0 win over the Chicago Fire. Darlington Nagbe, known for his defensive work in the middle of the park, scored what could be the Goal of the Year in the win, a thunderous volley from long range.
"I think these kinds of games actually show a different side of our character," center back Jonathan Mensah said. "We have a strong team, and we always find a way to win. We’re creating a culture that we do whatever we can to win games."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Vito Wormgoor (D) - ankle injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Eloy Room (GK) - hamstring injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Lucas Zelarayan (M) - ankle injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Youness Mokhtar (M) - muscle strain
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at NYCFC
- NYCFC: 3 wins, 10 goals
- Crew SC: 1 win, 3 goals
- 1 draw
Officials
- Referee: Nima Saghafi
- Assistant Referees: Jose da Silva, Gjovalin Bori
- 4th Official: Kevin Broadley
- VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
