Field Level Media
24 Oct 2020, 03:49 GMT+10
The Columbus Crew is getting healthy at the right time to play at one of their least favorite venues on Saturday against the Houston Dynamo.
Columbus (10-4-4, 34 points) has five losses and two ties since last winning 2-0 at BBVA Stadium on June 18, 2011. The Crew is 1-6-6 all-time in Houston, but confident because the Dynamo (4-7-8, 20 points) have struggled of late.
While Houston's 2-2 tie at Minnesota United on Sunday ended a two-game losing streak, the Dynamo is 1-5-4 in the past 10 games. They are 10th in the Western Conference, one point from the final playoff spot.
"We will face challenging stretches, but the key for us is to keep believing in our approach, work like we know how to do and with that, surely the victories will come," Houston forward Mauro Manotas said.
The Crew's 3-1 win over New York City FC on Sunday also ended a two-game losing streak and a 0-3-1 stretch that knocked them from atop the Eastern Conference to third, although they have clinched a postseason berth.
More importantly, goalkeeper Eloy Room and midfielder Lucas Zelarayan, each of whom has missed the past three games because of injuries, and midfielder Darlington Nagbe (out eight games) are available vs. the Dynamo.
"Eloy, Darlington and Lucas, all three have been in training this week full out," Crew coach Caleb Porter said Thursday. "It's been nice to have the full week to be able to train the full group but also to work in some guys that have been injured."
With the Crew nearing full strength, captain Jonathan Mensah said the goal is to reclaim first not only in the conference, but the overall standings come playoff time.
"To win MLS Cup, I think home advantage counts," he said. "So, the more points we have, the more the advantage in our favor kind of grows."
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Cleveland Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cleveland Star.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: With just weeks to spare before a potential government default, U.S. lawmakers passed a sweeping tax and spending...
PARIS, France: Fast-fashion giant Shein has been fined 40 million euros by France's antitrust authority over deceptive discount practices...
PALO ALTO/TEL AVIV: The battle for top AI talent has claimed another high-profile casualty—this time at Safe Superintelligence (SSI),...
FRANKLIN, Tennessee: Hundreds of thousands of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are being recalled across the United States due to a potential...
REDMOND, Washington: Microsoft is the latest tech giant to announce significant job cuts, as the financial strain of building next-generation...
LONDON UK - U.S. stock markets were closed on Friday for Independence Day. Global Forex Markets Wrap Up Friday with Greeback Comeback...
(Photo credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images) Trey Sweeney and Riley Greene each belted homers in the 10th inning and Tarik Skubal threw...
(Photo credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) Zack Wheeler threw a dazzling one-hitter with 12 strikeouts as the Philadelphia Phillies...
(Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images) The Toronto Blue Jays placed second baseman Andres Gimenez on the 10-day injured list...
(Photo credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images) Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas returned to the 10-day injured list on Sunday because...
(Photo credit: MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) Notre Dame offensive lineman Charles Jagusah,...
(Photo credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images) Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal's quest for a second straight American League Cy Young...