The Columbus Crew are set to open the 2022 MLS season with a home matchup against the Vancouver Whitecaps with an afternoon matinee kickoff. This season will mark the first entire season in the Crew’s new home at Lower.com Field.
Columbus is hoping to put the past behind after failing to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs last season. Winning their last three games, the Crew want a return to the postseason to prove themselves once again that they are a force to be reckoned with. For the opposition, the Whitecaps are quietly creeping up the totem pole in regards to becomeing a team to watch in the league. After ending the season well last year, the ambition to repeat is there in the squad.
Team news
Columbus Team News: The Crew have added assets that will be called upon when the time is right. Players such as Miloš Degenek, Will Sands, Sean Zawadzki, James Igbekeme and many others, are looking to put their best forward with the club.
Columbus are looking to be without centerback Josh Williams as he is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury. Porter then confirmed on Friday that Williams is out with a quad strain and will be out a few weeks. The Black & Gold are also going to be without Kevin Molino and reserve centerback Jake Morris.
Head Coach Caleb Porter
In their first full season at Lower.com Field, Porter expressed that it’s now home and the team now feels comfortable. “It feels familiar, we did a training session there and it felt comfortable,” he said. “We have the best fans in the league; We have the best stadium in the league. I know others will disagree, but to me that’s what we have.”
Vancouver Team News: The Whitecaps are setting their sights on the continued success from last season after clinching a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2017. However, the ‘Caps are set to be without Caio Alexandre as he is recovering from foot surgery, and Brian White listed as questionable with a right foot contusion.
Head-to-head
Columbus welcome the Whitecaps to town in their first matchup since 2019. Vancouver are unbeaten in their last eight against Columbs (W5 D3) and look to continue that run which is the longest winning run against a single club in Vancouver’s MLS history dating back to 2012.
The last time that these two teams met, they both to a 1-1 draw in the friendly confines of BC Place.
