This weekend’s action in the MLS is wrapped up with a bottom half clash between Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas as the two third from bottom teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences clash at the MAPFRE Stadium in Ohio on Sunday evening.
Columbus Crew head into this important encounter having failed to win any of their last four matches in the MLS as they’ve suffered defeats to Los Angeles, Minnesota United and Colorado Rapids, along with a draw with New York City.
The hosts’ best chances of putting points on the board have definitely come from their home matches as they’ve won just 1 of their first 7 matches away from home, but they’ve collected 4 wins from their 9 home matches to date.
These 4 wins at home have come in the shape of victories against Dallas, Atlanta United, New England Revolution and LA Galaxy so far this term, while overall, Columbus Crew have lost just 3 of their last 17 matches on home turf.
The Crew also possess dangerous forwards Zardes (6 goals) and Santos (4 goals) up front and they’ll be looking to add to their goal tallies here.
Sporting Kansas have registered just 1 win out of their last 11 matches overall in recent times in the MLS which was a 3-2 home win over Seattle Sounders, but overall recent form has been average for the visitors.
The visitors sit third from bottom in the Western Conference and are just three points behind 7th placed Real Salt Lake who hold the last play-off spot.
However, results away from home have been ordinary as Sporting Kansas are still without an away win so far this season.
Sporting Kansas remain the only side in the Western Conference yet to record a win on the road in this campaign, having drawn 4 and lost 3 to date.
Indeed, it’s now 9 matches without a win on their travels, a run that includes defeats at Los Angeles, San Jose Earthquakes and DC United.
With just 6 wins out of their last 21 away matches in the MLS, it looks like being a tough ask for Sporting Kansas to get anything out of Columbus Crew on Sunday evening.
This may be a tight affair but Columbus Crew are unbeaten in their last two meetings at home against Sporting Kansas and the hosts should just squeeze through here.