San Diego Faces Tough Test Against Columbus Crew in MLS Matchup

San Diego, California – In a highly anticipated Major League Soccer clash, San Diego FC will host the Columbus Crew at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. PDT. Both teams are looking to capitalize on their strong starts to the 2025 season, with San Diego currently sitting second in the Western Conference and Columbus in third place in the Eastern Conference.

San Diego FC, in their inaugural season in Major League Soccer, has impressed with an unbeaten record thus far. The team started with a historic 2-0 victory over the reigning champions, LA Galaxy, but faced a setback in their second match with a goalless draw against St. Louis City. Nevertheless, they returned to winning ways with a decisive 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake. Head coach Luciano Varas expressed confidence in his squad, stating, “Our boys have shown resilience, and we look forward to proving ourselves against a strong team like Columbus Crew.”

In contrast, the Columbus Crew, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last year, are determined to rebound from a disappointing 2024 campaign. They kicked off the new season with back-to-back wins against New York Red Bulls and New England Revolution but stumbled with a goalless draw against Houston Dynamo. Coach Wilfried Nancy remarked, “We must regain our footing and find ways to convert possession into goals if we want to challenge for the title this year.”

While both teams have shown solid scoring form, San Diego stands out with five goals across three games, showcasing their offensive prowess. San Diego’s ability to attack will be challenged as they face a Columbus Crew side with a rich legacy, including three MLS Cup championships.

Injury concerns loom over both teams ahead of the match. San Diego will miss their Mexican star due to a hamstring injury sustained in the last match, and several other players are also unavailable due to leg injuries. Columbus Crew has its own struggles, with key players sidelined due to various injuries.

The projected starting lineups are as follows: San Diego FC is expected to field Santos in goal with a defensive line of Loffelsend, McVey, McNair, and Negri. The midfield will see Godoy, Tverskov, and De La Torre, supported by forwards Dreyer, Ingvartsen, and Boateng. Columbus Crew is likely to start Schulte in goal, with Amundsen, Cheberko, Moreira, and Farsi in defense. Nagbe and Zawadzki are set to anchor the midfield, while Arfsten, Chambost, Rossi, and Russell-Rowe will lead the attack.

Both teams are eager to secure three points in this match-up, and with their current form, the outcome remains unpredictable. Analysts suggest a draw is the most probable result, given the competitive nature of both squads. Fans can expect an electrifying match as both teams look to solidify their standings early in the season.