Our football match prediction:
Columbus Crew
Match Time & Date:
01/07/2018
00:30 GMT
Prediction: 1-1
Real Salt Lake
After failing to win previous five league matches, Columbus Crew are widely expected to fight tooth and nail in Sunday’s football match against Real Salt Lake. Columbus failed to score in previous two league fixtures and it is more than obvious that they suffered a dip in form. The Crew aim to put an end to their five-game winless run in the Major League Soccer, but beating Real Salt Lake is easier said than done. Following a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles Galaxy, the Royals played out a 1-1 draw with San Jose Earthquakes in their last league fixture, but despite dropping four points in those games, they remained in the play-offs berth. Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake seem to be evenly matched at the moment and, taking everything into account, share of spoils appears on the horizon.
Highlighted Player (Cristian Martinez):
Cristian Martinez is a Columbus Crew midfielder who was born in Panama City on February 6, 1997. Martinez began his senior career in 2012 at local club Chorrillo, but after four years he was sent on loan to MLS club Columbus Crew. The Panama footballer found the net for Columbus on his MLS debut on June 1, 2016, becoming the youngest goal scorer in the club history. Cristian Martinez played for the likes of Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Cincinnati on loan as well, but in 2018 he returned to the MAPFRE Stadium outfit. The Columbus footballer made his debut for Panama national football team against El Salvador on February 18, 2016, coming as a substitute for Armando Cooper in the 78th minute of the match. Martinez made his first start for Panama in a 1-0 loss to Nicaragua in a friendly game on March 16, 2016. The Columbus midfielder has five caps for Panama U20 team as well as he represented los Ticos at the 2017 CONCACAF U20 Championship.
Highlighted Team (Real Salt Lake):
Real Salt Lake joined Major League Soccer in 2005 as an expansion team of the league and four years later they won their first MLS Cup. The Royals faced star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy in the title game at Qwest Field in Seattle and Jason Kreis’ troops defeated David Beckham and Co. on penalties. In 2013 Real Salt Lake made it to the MLS Cup final for the second time in the club’s history, but they were beaten by Sporting Kansas City on penalties this time out. The Royals participated in the CONCACAF Champions League final in 2011 as well, but Monterrey of Mexico eventually won the title. Real Salt Lake footballers wear red shirts and blue shorts when playing at home, while the colour of their away kit is white. The likes of Clint Mathis, Jeff Cunningham and Eddie Pope are some of the notable footballers who played for the club in the past. Jeff Cunningham scored 19 goals in 32 appearances in the league for the Royals.
