[2026 MLS] Columbus Crew vs DC United: Match Preview and Analysis Kick-off: October 31, 18:00 UTC
Columbus Crew host their final regular-season home match while competing for a playoff spot. DC United have been eliminated, but coach Rene Weiler said he would field a lineup capable of getting a good result (Field Level Media, October 30).
1. Match overview and team form
Columbus Crew climbed the standings after a coaching change in May, under interim coach Laurent Courtois. They have won their last four league matches, though the performances have varied. They created plenty of chances against Charlotte FC, scored twice from just three shots away to FC Cincinnati, and relied heavily on goalkeeper Patrick Schulte's saves to keep a clean sheet away to FC Dallas. The winning run alone does not mean their attack will dominate again today.
Courtois has clear routes to goal. Against FC Dallas, a quick restart from Schulte led to a goal by Gonzalo Tapia, following touches from Rodríguez and Anass Zaroury. Against Toronto FC, defender Malte Amundsen scored twice from Dylan Chambost's corners. Striker Bryce Mendes missed the previous two matches through injury, but Courtois said he is available (Field Level Media, October 30). Tapia, who started up front in Mendes' absence, scored in both games.
The schedule is a concern. Columbus Crew play their sixth match in 18 days, a stretch that also included 120 minutes of extra time in the US Open Cup final. Courtois stressed that recovery would be key to preparation (The Columbus Dispatch, October 29). DC United have also played six times in that span, but Columbus carry the extra burden of the final going to extra time.
DC United have scored three goals across their last four defeats. They managed 10 shots against Toronto FC and 13 against FC Cincinnati, but had just two on target in each match. They have also conceded decisive goals from corners and free kicks recently. First-choice goalkeeper Johnson is out with a knee injury, and reports say striker Tai Baribo, who has scored 16 of the team's 39 goals, is also expected to miss out (Field Level Media, October 30). DC United won the September meeting, but the goalkeeping and attacking lineups are different today.
2. Matchup analysis
The first key matchup is Chambost's set pieces against a DC United defense without Johnson. Amundsen scored twice from Chambost's corners against Toronto FC, while DC United have recently conceded decisive goals from corners and free kicks. The new goalkeeper and defenders will need to judge which crosses the keeper should claim and which balls the defenders should contest. Set pieces give Columbus a chance to score without having to sustain attacks that consume more energy.
The second matchup is Columbus's quick restarts against DC United's defensive transition. Tapia scored against FC Dallas after Schulte moved the ball quickly, and against Toronto FC after Rodríguez played a pass in behind. DC United also conceded a late goal against FC Cincinnati after the opposition played a long ball once they had beaten the press. Columbus can use the same route today if they move forward before DC United's defense gets set, rather than keeping the ball for long spells.
DC United have ways to respond. João Peglow can play passes in behind for Kijima to run onto, while André Dozzell can shoot from the edge of the penalty area. Those players could find opportunities if Columbus drop deeper to manage their energy or are slow to react in transition in the second half. Even without Baribo, though, DC United have recently struggled to turn their shots into efforts on target.
3. Verdict and conclusion
The market strongly favors the home side, reflecting Columbus Crew's winning run and playoff push, along with DC United's losing streak and absences. We agree with the direction of the result, but expect a different scoring pattern. Columbus's packed schedule could affect their second-half defensive response more than their set-piece threat through Chambost. DC United still have routes to goal through Peglow's passing and Dozzell's shooting, even without Baribo.
If Columbus take the lead from a set piece or quick restart, DC United will have to push forward. Rodríguez and Tapia could then attack the space behind them for another goal. On the other hand, if the new goalkeeper handles crosses and Columbus take time to score, the home side's fatigue could keep the margin down. We expect Columbus to win by at least two goals, with DC United also scoring in a high-scoring match.
[Final picks · By market · Betman lines] Full-time result: Home win. Chambost's set pieces and quick restarts can work despite the fatigue, while DC United have struggled to turn shots into efforts on target without Baribo. Handicap -1: Home win. A goalkeeper and defense playing together for the first time will have to deal with set pieces aimed at Amundsen. If DC United push their line up after falling behind, quick restarts offer Columbus a route to a second goal. Over/Under 3.5: Over. Columbus can add a goal from a set piece, and DC United could find a consolation chance in the space behind a tiring back three in the second half.
