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Match Preview: Columbus Crew versus Atlanta United FC

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By on Atlanta United FC, Columbus Crew SC, MLS, MLS Eastern Conference

Atlanta United (9-3-3, 30 points) versus Columbus Crew (7-3-6, 27 points)

The huge games for the Columbus Crew refuse to slow down as of late.

Columbus faces off against the first place team in the East, the first place team in the entire league in Atlanta United FC this Wednesday (7:30 pm est ESPN +) at home.

Columbus has nine games without a defeat but needs to stop another not as glimmering recent trend. 

This of course being ties at home.

The trend started off swell enough as a 3-0 surefire defeat turned into a 3-3 tie at home against Toronto FC.

However, the trend has been compacted by a 2-2 tie to the Chicago Fire that led to their elimination from the 2018 U.S. Open Cup. 

Then the trend became a bit tiresome against the New York Red Bulls.

That competition ended in a 1-1 tie, but was a game where a 3-0 or 4-0 lead for Columbus by the end of the first half would’ve been more deserving.

If Columbus could’ve finished some rather typical conversions in that game the Crew would’ve found themselves with an opportunity to take first place for themselves on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, if you overlook Atlanta’s one game in hand, the Crew can still tie for first.

Perhaps more importantly Columbus can put some distance between themselves and the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Always with games in hand.

Crewture’s projected Crew lineup:

What will help turn the tide for Columbus at home is the return of Zack Steffen.

In addition, the return of both Pedro Santos and Wil Trapp (even if Ricardo Clark is about a zero percent drop off in most respects) won’t hurt.

Another lineup question to ponder is whether Eduardo Sosa plays a role again at some point?
Other than Crognale’s goal, Sosa was the most vital substitute out of the three to turn a sure defeat into a tie against Toronto FC.
He looked good again against the New York Red Bulls:
https://twitter.com/Toddrick33/status/1005952707050590208?
Sosa has been a huge bright spot for the Crew this season. It looks like Berhalter is onto something with Sosa compared to the Steindórsson’s and Larsen’s of the world. 

Atlanta United projected lineup:

Atlanta United trotted out the following lineup in a 1-1 tie at NYCFC the last game out:
Atlanta was fortunate as Brad Guzan had to make nine saves to give Atlanta United a point.
 
“Tough and unfair, I think it’s probably the first point we’ve taken without deserving it,” Tata Martino said. “New York was the better team in the second half. Up until Josef’s goal, the game was fairly even. But after that New York was the better team.”
 
Even without Zack Steffen this past week, overall Columbus has been better in comparison to Atlanta United as of late, grabbing twelve out of the last eighteen possible points compared to Atlanta’s eight.
If Columbus make it fifteen out of twenty-one possible compared to Atlanta’s eight out of twenty-one possible, Columbus puts themselves in a good place to eventually not just tie for first but take it for themselves.

PREDICTION: 2-0 Columbus. Both goals by Zardes.

The defense gets back-to-back shutouts with Zack Steffen which in turn helps get Zardes right behind Josef Martinez in the Golden Boot race.

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