Vancouver Whitecaps (2-1-1, 7 points) versus Columbus Crew (3-0-1,10 points)

3:30 PM EST CTV, MLS Live

“Columbus attack. They’re a good attacking team. But sometimes your strength can be your weakness as well,” said Vancouver manager Carl Robinson.

This seems to be a running theme of emphasis for Crew opponents lately. Opponents want to use the Crew’s strengths against them. 

Before the Union vs. Crew game two weeks ago, Philadelphia mentioned gaining opportunities offensively from the Crew’s expansive play and if they high pressed as a result. The Union’s result? 0 goals.

On the Columbus end they have their full starting lineup this week to choose from for this game. The one used thus far for the majority of 2018.

Zack Steffen and Wil Trapp, goalkeeper and captain are 100% back in after United States national team duty. It’s hard to find two players more important to the current starting eleven. Nevertheless, Berhalter and co. coped extremely well with them gone in a 3-1 relatively stress free win over D.C. United.

I expected the win but the relative ease surprised me a little. Should be seen as an extreme positive. 

Center back Josh Williams, who has been out thus far in 2018, is healthy and available this week as well. 

I’ve seen some mentions of possibly giving Williams a start for Lalas Abubukar. Yet why?

Lalas Abubukar has the best passing accuracy rate on the entire Columbus Crew, even better than Wil Trapp’s.

In addition, he’s second best in passing accuracy in the whole league at center back after former Crew back Michael Parkhurst.

Abubukar currently holds the best passing accuracy rate (92.3 percent) of the entire roster, better than even captain Wil Trapp who is considered by many one of the best passers in MLS. His rating is also the second-best for CBs in the entire league https://t.co/1GjpH37eLN

— CREWTURE.NET (@crewture) March 28, 2018

I feel that manager Gregg Berhalter has to resist the urge to fiddle with a lineup that is working extremely well. One of the biggest problems with the 2017 season was, in my opinion, the constant switching of defensive backs.

Because of that switching Columbus were unable to gain any defensive rhythm. 

Abubukar had 6 starts, Crognale had 12 starts, Williams had 19 starts, Mensah had 25 starts in 2017 at center back. 

I would like to see the two get 30 starts in 2018 and everyone else at 4 to 5 with some substitution appearances.

We will see how that goes especially when Gaston Sauro returns.

Yet, at the current time with how Lalas Abubukar is playing and with us in first at the moment don’t change what isn’t broke.

If we have a dip in form somewhere that’s when and only when to fiddle. 

Crewture’s projected Crew lineup:

More of the same.

Whitecaps projected lineup:

In a 0-0 draw at home against the LA Galaxy last week, this was the Whitecaps lineup with Kendall Waston on national team duty with Costa Rica. 

If the Whitecaps go with a similar formation, Waston will just replace Aja at center back more than likely as Maund has had more starts.

Yet the Whitecaps have been all over the place with their formations including the Crew’s famous 2017 formation of three in the back in Atlanta, which didn’t work out too well with a 4-1 loss.

I see Vancouver going back to the formation and setup in their last win, two weeks ago against Houston.

The most important thing to watch (and I’m sure he’ll like hearing that) is Kei Kamara.

Seriously for once. As I think Kamara may be getting back into some form.

Kei was out for one game this year because of a groin strain. But, has 2 goals so far in his three appearances  was just inches from 3 in 3 against Los Angeles. If Kamara would’ve found net on that chance it would’ve likely been a goal of the year nominee.

PREDICTION: Vancouver is one of the more legit tests for Columbus in recent weeks. But, Columbus has been pretty solidified with their eleven, formation, and how they’re playing.

If you seen Vancouver’s lineup the last three weeks in the lineup prediction above they have been a bit all over the place.

I think that and being at home gives Columbus the edge.

I would like to see Gyasi have a really huge game and get back on the scoresheet.

Crew win 3-1. Two goals by Gyasi, one by Martinez. Kei Kamara gets one as well for Vancouver.