D.C. United vs. Columbus Crew SC | MLS Match Preview

D.C. UNITED vs COLUMBUS CREW SC
RFK MEMORIAL STADIUM, Washington, D.C.
September 19, 2015 (WEEK 29, MLS Game #289)
7 p.m. ET (CSN-MA; TWC-OH)

A pair of clubs who can secure places in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a victory meet when D.C. United play host to Columbus Crew SC on Saturday evening at RFK Stadium. United can clinch a playoff spot with a win, or even a tie and loss if other results go their way, now in a tie for second place in the Eastern Conference following a 1-1 draw at the Colorado Rapids last weekend. Crew SC must win in the nation’s capital to clinch a playoff place, remaining on the road following a 2-1 win at Philadelphia Union last weekend.

• United put an end to their three-game losing slide, but still saw their winless run extended, as Steve Birnbaum headed home a late equalizer to pull them back into a 1-1 draw Saturday evening vs. the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
• Kei Kamara scored a pair of goals – giving him 20 for the season, leading the MLS Golden Boot standings and just the 16th player in league history to reach the 20-goal mark in a season – as Crew SC won a third consecutive game on the road in a 2-1 win at Philadelphia Union on Saturday evening at PPL Park.
• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Fabian Espindola scored one goal and set up the other as United claimed a 2-0 victory May 2 at RFK Stadium.
• It was United’s first victory against Crew SC since the final meeting in 2012, a 3-2 victory at RFK Stadium. Crew SC had won three of the five meetings in between, with two draws – those two results coming in the previous two meetings between the teams.
• The first meeting win also ended a three-game Crew SC undefeated streak at RFK Stadium, with two wins and a draw. United haven’t won in Columbus since 2007; Crew SC have won five of their seven home meetings since, with two draws.

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REFEREE: Ted Unkel. AR1 (bench): Peter Manikowski; AR2 (opposite): Richard Gamache; 4th: Fotis Bazakos
MLS Career: 29 games; FC/gm: 25.9; Y/gm: 4.1; R: 9; pens: 15

SUSPENDED: none
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: DC: Davy Arnaud, Conor Doyle, Perry Kitchen … CLB: Kei Kamara, TonyTchani
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: DC: Bobby Boswell, Sean Franklin, Taylor Kemp, Steven Birnbaum …CLB: Federico Higuain, Kevan George, Hector Jimenez, Emanuel Pogatetz, Justin Meram
DISABLED LIST: CLB: Sagi Lev-Ari
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none

HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (60 meetings): United 26 wins (5 shootout), 84 goals … Crew SC 24 wins (0 shootout), 85 goals … Ties 10
AT RFK (31 meetings): United 19 wins (3 shootout), 59 goals … Crew SC 8 wins (0 shootout), 41 goals … Ties 4
FUTURE MATCH: 10/25: Columbus Crew SC vs. D.C. United, tbd

• The teams are meeting for the second time this season. Fabian Espindola scored one goal and set up the other as United claimed a 2-0 victory May 2 at RFK Stadium.
• It was United’s first victory against Crew SC since the final meeting in 2012, a 3-2 victory at RFK Stadium. Crew SC had won three of the five meetings in between, with two draws – those two results coming in the previous two meetings between the teams.
• The first meeting win also ended a three-game Crew SC undefeated streak at RFK Stadium, with two wins and a draw. United haven’t won in Columbus since 2007; Crew SC have won five of their seven home meetings since, with two draws.
• Coaches record: Gregg Berhalter vs. DC: P4 W1 L1 D2 … Ben Olsen vs. CLB: P12 W4 L6 D2

RELATED CONTENT:

CHECK OUT THE INJURY REPORT HEADING INTO THE MATCH
CHECK OUT THE DISCIPLINARY REPORT HEADING INTO THE MATCH

United happy to clinch CCL group with game to spare
Crew SC set sights on top of Eastern Conference