Our prediction for this MLS match:
Columbus Crew play host to Orlando City at Lower.com Field in what is expected to be an interesting MLS game. Both sides are vying for a place in the MLS playoffs, and, no doubt, there will be fireworks in Thursday’s showdown. All Artur, Kitchen, Molino, and Morris are sidelined with injuries for Columbus, who recorded four wins in the previous five home games.
The Lions, on the other hand, face a must-win situation as they are five points behind the playoffs berth with three games to go. Since Orlando City will adopt an attack-minded approach in the midweek fixture, we predict that Columbus will have a number of opportunities to seal the victory on the break. A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be veteran midfielder Nani, who found the net in the 2-2 draw with New England Revolution at the weekend.
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 (Orlando City):
Orlando City are a member of the Eastern Conference in Major League Soccer. The Lions have been participating in the major league since 2015 and they host their rivals at Orlando City Stadium. The venue was opened in February, 2017 and the construction of the stadium cost $155 million. Orlando City finished the 2015 MLS season in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and they failed to make it to the play-offs in the 2016 season as well (8th place).
Brazilian ace Kaka is undisputedly the club’s most famous player and the former Real Madrid and Milan man became the highest-paid player in MLS history. His base salary was $6.6 million per year and it has to be noted that the Brazilian superstar found the net on his Orlando City debut against FC Dallas (friendly). Orlando City’s home kit is violet, while they wear white and violet shirts and white socks on the travels. The club’s official mascot is Kingston the Lion.