By The Numbers pres. by Ohio Business Machines | Columbus hosts D.C. United for Crewsmas on Saturday

Charlie Hatch

It’s beginning to look – and feel – like Crewsmas, everywhere you go in Columbus. Storefronts have decorated their windows black and gold, and the warm air has been pushed out for cooler, December-like chills.

The Columbus Crew returns to Lower.com Field on Saturday night for its 2023 home opener, when it welcomes D.C. United to the Ohio capital.

Three Things to Know

1 – This is the Crew’s second match of the 2023 regular season, but Saturday is head coach Wilfried Nancy’s first leading the squad at home. Almost four months after his introductory press conference, where he spoke highly of his visits to Lower.com Field as an opposing manager, he’ll now have to get acclimated to his new home in his debut. As for the Crew, supporters could expect to see the Black & Gold use a playing style that varies from previous seasons. If the season opener in Philadelphia was any indication, expect Columbus to utilize younger players, including some who won the MLS NEXT Pro Championship last year with Crew 2.

10,000 – Fans are encouraged to arrive early to the home opener. While the first 10,000 supporters who enter the stadium gates will receive a Crew beanie, courtesy of Nationwide, there will also be additional discounts, including a happy hour.

A special Crewsmas present 🎁

The first 10,000 fans at @LowerFieldCbus on Saturday will receive these Black & Gold hats courtesy of @Nationwide.
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) February 28, 2023

At 4:24 p.m., a 96-Minute Happy Hour is available in The Pub and Plaza until 5:30 p.m., where fans 21+ can enjoy $5 beer. At 5:30 p.m., stadium gates open and all fans will be able to enjoy 28% off new concession items until 6 p.m., in honor of the Club’s 28th season in MLS.

14 – D.C. United bottomed out the Eastern Conference last year, but circumstances have changed now that head coach Wayne Rooney had a full offseason to rebuild the side. So far, so good, as D.C rallied from trailing, 2-1, entering the 90th minute in the season opener, only to score twice in stoppage time to beat Toronto FC, 3-2. The electrifying finish included a goal from Christian Benteke, who joins the team for a full season for the first time. Also on the score sheet was Mateusz Klich, who also arrived from an English Premier League club to play in the nation’s capital.

When They Last Met

The sides played to a 2-2 draw on July 13, 2022 at Audi Field. That night, Cucho Hernández produced a brace and nearly earned his new club three points, but former Crew player Ola Kamara scored the equalizer in stoppage time. In the last meeting at Lower.com Field, Columbus won, 3-0, thanks to goals from Pedro Santos, Derrick Etienne Jr., and Darlington Nagbe. That match was April 30, 2022.