Red Hot Crew SC Travel To DC United In Eastern Conference Showdown

 Columbus Crew SC are on the road again to take on rivals DC United in a Eastern Conference battle

Brad Mills/USA Today Sports

Undefeated in the month of April, Columbus Crew SC travel to the nations' capital to take on DC United, in hopes ot keep their undefeated streak alive. On the flipside, DC United look to spoil their parade, and keep their own undefeated streak alive. Can one team emerge victorious, or will they settle for a dreaded draw? 

Columbus Crew SC take on DC United sitting in 4th place with 11 points, and a 3-2-2 record. They are undefeated in their last 4 matches, which inlcude a 2-2 draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps, a 0-0 draw against New England Revolution. And impressive wins such as a 3-0 win over Orlando City SC, and an annihilating 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Getting eight points 12 in a span of four games, thats quite impressive. Leading Columbus Crew SC to their success is a montage of players, starting with Kei Kamara and Ethan Finlay. Leading Columbus Crew SC in goals is the striker Kei Kamara with 4 goals. He also sits second amongst MLS leaders. Ethan Finlay leads the team in assists, with 3, including one in the last outing against Philadelphia Union. 

Of course, you can't leave out the presence of Justin Meram and Federico Higuain. Or defensemen Waylon Francis. These players are just the main focus points in Crew SC's recent success. It noticable, and it has to be recognized. Containing these particular players on the pitch will be tough, and that's just what they want. Head coach Gregg Berhalter spoke on Ethan Finlays recent performance: "I think this was a case of, you know form the outside. The perception might have been he's not at the top of his game, and Ethan's been so hard, and internally, we've been happy with how he's playing."

"We have that mentality, one game at a time" spoke Gregg Berhalter on if the team can keep the momentum going, heading into this weeks clash against DC United. 

Althought it may be selfish, this is one major key that Columbus Crew SC can use in order to advance past, and come out with three points on Saturday. 

DC United sit tied for first place with New York Red Bulls, at 14 points, and a 4-1-2 record. Their recent outing resulted in a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia. With goals from Bobby Boswell, and Chris Rolfe, they were able to seal the victory against the Eastern Conference leading Whitecaps. Other key victories for DC United are 1-0 over the LA Galaxy, 1-0 over Orlando City SC. And key draws against rivals New York Red Bulls (2-2) and 1-1 against the Houston Dynamo. 

Leading the way is Chris Rolfe who leads the team in goals (2) and assists (2). 

DC United are without two veteran players in Eddie Johnson, whos ruled out due to a heart condition, and GK Bill Hamid who's out with a knee injury. 

One key to win against Columbus Crew SC is to tame Ethan Finlay and Kei Kamara. Putting those two players on lock can change the playing field and frustrate the opposition. 

Projected Lineup: DC United (4-4-2)

Worra;

Franklin--Boswell--Opare--Korb

Deleon--Kitchen--Farfan--Pontius

Espindola--Rolfe

Projected Lineup: Columbus Crew SC (4-2-3-1)

Clark;

Francis--Pogatetz--Parkhurst--Grana

Saeid--Tchani

Finlay--Higuain--Finlay

Kamara

REFEREE: Baldemero Toledo

AR1: Kermit Quisenberry

AR2: Kathryn Nesbitt

4th: Edvin Jurisevic

Prediction: Both teams are undefeated for the month of April, and looking to continue their success. Columbus Crew SC will emerge victorious

Columbus Crew SC 2-0 DC United

What's Behind The Recent Success Of Columbus Crew SC?

Columbus Crew SC have turned eyes in the Eastern Conference, and are now possibly one of the teams to beat. Momentum push, key players, and how they get it done is what's being talked about.

Massive Report

Not one team, even New York Red Bulls, despite them not losing to a team yet, has scored more goals than Columbus Crew SC. This team clicks like no other, and it's lethal when they are on the same page. In seven matches, Crew have scored a total of 12 goals. Not impressed? They've conceded only five goals so far this season. And in the past two matches, both wins over opponents such as Orlando City and Philadelphia Union, they scored seven goals alone. And gave up one. 

Taking 104 shots this season, they have the highest percentage of average shots per game, coming in at 15%. So, one key to the recent success is definitely goal scoring. 

Another, is the precision passing. In their last four matches, Columbus have made an overall passing percentage of over 70% in each game. Combined, their average passing total is about 83% (82.5 to be exact, but who's counting?) Passing sparked out the "OLE's!" in their last match. Who would ever know that Columbus Crew SC is a great passing and scoring team? 

And what are goals without assists? 

Columbus Crew SC are phenomenal with assists on goals. Just ask Ethan Finaly, who leads the team with 3 assists. And he also has two game-winning assists in those three. It's just another simple positive asset that Columbus Crew SC carries with them. 

They are slowly becoming the team to beat. Teams would love to end Columbus' run so far. With a win over DC United this week, they will be tied with New York Red Bulls for first place. 

Last season, Crew hired a new manager in Gregg Berhalter. A slumping season start, was then answered by then making the MLS Cup Playoffs in Berhalters' first year at the reigns of the squad, finishing third in the Eastern Conference. 

So, to put it into perspective, the factors that are behind Columbus Crew SCs' recent success so far are: goal scoring, assists, and passing. The three basic keys to any other game. Only, this team is showing how its done.