Atlanta United host Columbus Crew in Eastern Conference clash

Jonathan Turner
Sep 12
2 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

Atlanta United host Columbus Crew in Eastern Conference clash

ATLANTA — Fresh off the September international break, Columbus Crew head to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday night to face Atlanta United in a matchup with playoff positioning implications in the Eastern Conference. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (Apple TV, MLS Season Pass).

The Crew enter the contest sitting sixth in the East, seeking more consistency under head coach Wilfried Nancy. Columbus has shown flashes of strong form — including a 4-2 road win at rival FC Cincinnati earlier this summer — but has struggled to string together results. Forward Diego Rossi, the club’s leading scorer, remains the key figure in the attack.

Atlanta returns home under head coach Ronny Deila with an emphasis on defensive stability and transition play. The Five Stripes have enjoyed success at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, leaning on high-energy pressing and quick counterattacks to unsettle opponents.

Columbus will be without midfielder Sean Zawadzki, who suffered a right MCL injury while on duty with the U.S. men’s national team. Midfield veteran Darlington Nagbe and wingback Mo Farsi have also battled minor knocks. Atlanta’s lone long-term absentee remains midfielder Jay Fortune, though most of the squad returned healthy from the break.

The all-time series tilts slightly toward Columbus, with 11 wins to Atlanta’s eight. Goals have often come in bunches between the two sides, raising expectations for another open contest.

Keys to the match: Columbus will look to control tempo through extended possession spells, while Atlanta aims to disrupt rhythm and capitalize on transition moments. Set pieces and wide play are also expected to be decisive factors inside the dome.

The Crew follow Saturday’s game with a midweek trip to Yankee Stadium to face New York City FC on Sept. 17.