Energy levels running high after that big-time dub over CF Monterrey on Wednesday night in the Concacaf Champions Cup semis? Good, because the Columbus Crew need you Saturday night.
After beating Mexican power Rayados, the Black & Gold return to Lower.com Field on Saturday night when they host CF Montréal – and a familiar face – in the Ohio capital.
Numbers to Know
4 – First, it’s important to remember that Columbus is the only MLS team still competing in Concacaf Champions Cup. As a result, that means the Crew are playing a more congested schedule, so there’s less time to recover. Regardless, the team is fourth in the Eastern Conference with 14 points from nine matches. For context, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF lead the east with 18 points, but with one more match played. The Crew have played four consecutive draws in league action.
9 – How good was Cucho Hernández on Wednesday night? In addition to his first-half goal against Monterrey, Cucho continued his fine form that’s made him a top striker in North America. He has six goals across all competitions in 2024, and Wednesday night’s goal moved into the Club’s top 10 goal scorers of all time. Not bad for someone who hasn’t even been in Columbus for a full two years.
10 – Montréal sits 10th in the Eastern Conference with 11 points from eight matches. The Canadian club had a difficult start to April after getting pummeled, 5-0, by Seattle Sounders FC on April 6, but it’s since gone unbeaten in its two most recent matches. That includes a 2-1 home win against FC Cincinnati, last year’s Supporters’ Shield winners, and a draw with Orlando City SC – who finished second in the East in 2023. Don’t forget Montréal also beat Miami, 3-2, on the road earlier this season.
2 – Montréal’s person to watch isn’t a player this week – it’s Laurent Courtois. If that name sounds familiar, it should! Courtois joined Montréal in January after spending two seasons leading Columbus Crew 2 – the first two seasons of Crew 2. In 2022, Courtois and the Capybaras won the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup, and in 2023, the club rattled off upsets and made the final for a second-straight season. Current Crew players such as Jacen Russell-Rowe, Mohamed Farsi and Schulte made their professional debuts under Courtois, so this will certainly be a warm and welcomed return. However, Courtois is a good coach, so no need to be too warm and fuzzy! Let’s save that for post-match appreciation.
When They Last Met
The last meeting between these clubs went well for the Crew, who won, 2-1, on Oct. 21, 2023 at Lower.com Field. The setting was 2023 Decision Day and head coach Wilfried Nancy’s first time coaching against his former team in his new home. The visitors took an early lead, but Cucho scored the equalizer before Darlington Nagbe’s game winner.
Match Overview
Who: Columbus Crew host CF Montréal
When: Saturday, Apr. 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Lower.com Field
Tickets: It’s Almost Showtime
How to Watch: MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app
How to Listen: La Grande 102.5 FM | Alt 105.7 FM | iHeart Radio app
Single-Match Tickets
Secure your seat to cheer on the reigning MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field this season!
