Our prediction for this MLS match:
Austin and Columbus Crew go head to head at Q2 Stadium in what is expected to be a close MLS encounter. Austin have been playing some low-scoring games of late, with each of their previous six league fixtures ending with under 2.5 goals. The newcomers obviously struggle in front of goal, and that is the main reason why home win should not be considered.
Columbus Crew, on the other hand, aim to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Philadelphia Union. Caleb Porter’s charges, though, were on a three-game winning run before the midweek defeat, and we predict that they will get back on course on Monday. Despite failing to find the net in the last league match, a man to keep an eye on in the away team will be Gyasi Zardes, who has netted three goals so far this season.
Highlighted Player (Fanendo Adi):
After spending his youth career at Lagos Islanders and Union Bank, Fanendo Adi moved to Trencic of Slovakia in 2009. The Nigeria international played for the likes of Metalurh Donetsk, Dynamo Kiev, Tavriya Simferopol, Copenhagen and Portland Timbers as well before joining FC Cincinnati.
Adi was born in Lagos (Nigeria) on October 10, 1990 and he has two caps for the Nigeria U23 national team. However, he has yet to make his debut for the senior team. The Cincinnati forward was called up to the senior squad in the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, but he did not see any game action. Fanendo Adi made his MLS debut for Cincinnati on March 3, 2019 in a 4-1 loss to Seattle Sounders.
His main position is centre forward and his preferred foot is right. His biggest success is winning of the 2015 MLS Cup where Portland Timbers defeated Columbus Crew 2-1 in the title game.
Highlighted Team (Columbus Crew):
Columbus Crew are an American soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio. The Black & Gold participate in the Eastern Conference and in 2008 they won both the conference and the MLS CUP final. Columbus Crew defeated New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup final, with the likes of Moreno, Marshall and Hejduk scoring for the Black & Gold in the title game.
The club welcome their rivals at Mapfre Stadium, the venue which was opened on May, 15 1999. The current capacity of the stadium is 19.968 and it has to be noted that Mapfre Stadium is the first soccer-specific venue ever built for a MLS club.
A number of high-profile players were part of Columbus Crew in the past, but Guillermo Barros Schelotto is the most famous footballer that wore the black and yellow shirt. Schelotto played for Columbus Crew from 2007 to 2010 and during his spell with the Mapfre Stadium outfit the Black & Gold won the aforementioned MLS Cup.