Preview of Game 19 - DC United at Columbus Crew

DC United, 9-3-6 (W-D-L), head to Columbus for an MLS matchup with the Crew. United lost to the Galaxy in the semifinals of the SuperLiga on Wednesday in LA. However, in MLS play United is on a near-month long winning streak! (OK, it's only two games, but still, it sounds good.) United is looking to build on their last road game, a 3-0 pasting of New England. For the season, United is 3-1-5 (W-D-L) on the road with an even goal differential. United (1.67 PPG) is in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference, six points behind New England (1.71 PPG) with three games in hand. United is in 3rd place in the Supporter Shield race, led by New England and FC Dallas (1.80 PPG). United has two games in hand over Houston.

The Crew, 6-8-6 (W-D-L), are 1-1-1 in their last three games including last week's 3-2 loss to FC Dallas. Columbus are a very good home team with a 5-4-1 record and a +6 goal differential. They are in 5th place in the Eastern Conference (1.30 PPG), ten points behind New England with one game in hand, and in 8th place in the Supporter's Shield race.

United lost to the Crew back in April, 1-0. United should be completely healthy with no one out due to cards. Hopefully the coaching staff saw what the rest of us saw and Simms will return to the starting lineup. I expect the starting eleven to be Emilio, Moreno, Gomez, Fred, Olsen, Simms, Namoff, Burch, McTavish, Boswell, and Perkins a 4-4-2 formation. Carroll, Gros, Kpene and Moose all could get in during the second half. This begins the toughest stretch of the season remaining. United has four of the next five on the road. If they can pull more than five points out of those four road games, United has a real shot at the Supporter's Shield.

Prediction:

DC United 1:0 Columbus Crew