Columbus Crew SC’s path to rebounding from last week’s road loss goes through a three-match, eight-day stretch, starting this Saturday at home against the reigning Western Conference champion Portland Timbers on April 20 before hosting Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United on April 24. Following that, the short turnaround continues as the Crew cap things off with a road trip to the unbeaten Houston Dynamo on April 27.
The Timbers are winless in six matches played, all of which have been on the road due to renovations at their home field, Providence Park. Jeremy Ebobisse leads the club with two goals while three others, including Diego Valeri who leads the team with three assists, sit with one. The Timbers have conceded the second-most goals in Major League Soccer (17) and have faced the most shots on target in the League (40). Kickoff for Saturday’s home match is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET at MAPFRE Stadium.
In the Club’s first Saturday-Wednesday turnaround of the season, the Black & Gold then play host to D.C. United, who are 2-0-1 on the road this season, having just come off a 3-2 win at Colorado. In what will be a short turnaround for the visitors, too, the fellow MLS original club is scheduled to host New York City FC at Audi Field on Sunday, April 21, before heading to MAPFRE Stadium on April 24. Wayne Rooney leads the team in goals (4) and and is tied with teammate Júnior Moreno in assists (3), while goalkeeper Bill Hamid has posted four shutouts.
Finally, the Crew make their way south to take on a Dynamo team that, as of now, remains unbeaten at 4-0-1 and will hold the rest-advantage with eight days between their road match against the LA Galaxy on April 19 and their home match versus the Crew on April 27. The Dynamo are 3-0-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium this year, having defeated Montreal, Vancouver, and San Jose while drawing Salt Lake in the season opener. Houston has conceded six goals this season – one more than Crew SC – and has scored 12, which ranks tied for sixth in MLS. Memo Rodriguez leads the team with four goals while Mauro Manotas leads the assists category with four.
Against the Timbers on April 20, supporters can watch the match on FOX Sports Ohio, stream on FOX Sports GO, or listen on 97.1 FM The Fan or www.ColumbusCrewSC.com (English & Spanish).
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