The Columbus Crew looks to put right a 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Union in the first match of the season on Saturday night at Lower.com Field. The Union is in a rut at the moment, with four straight ties. Columbus should be fresh with a full week off, while Philadelphia had to play a midweek makeup game due to a postponement against FC Dallas.

Despite images of defender Will Sands practicing more and looking more comfortable as he recovers from an ACL tear, Sands is listed as out and won’t return at any point this season. Midfielder/defender Sean Zawadzki is suspended for this game due to yellow card accumulation.

With the season winding down, there will likely be little rotation match to match as head coach Wilfried Nancy prepares his side for the playoffs.

Here is how Columbus could line up in this match:

Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte was let down by his defense as forward Hunter Obrien’s movement caused defenders Rudy Camacho and Steven Moreira to keep switching marks, letting Obrien get in behind the defense. Schulte and the Crew will need to keep an eye on star forward Julian Carranza if he plays after being in the concussion protocol after an injury last Saturday.

Defenders Malte Amundsen, Camacho and Moreira will continue to partner up as new defender Yevhen Cheberko has had a couple poor outings and likely will not be relied upon in a pivotal match to determine homefield advantage in the MLS Cup playoffs. With Zawadzki suspended, Camacho will man the middle of the center backs but it could open a roster spot for defender Josh Williams to make the bench. 

Wing backs Julian Gressel and Yaw Yeboah continue to be the starters for the Black & Gold. Sands and wing back Mohamed Farsi started the last match against the Union, with Yeboah and winger Luis Diaz appearing off the bench. Yeboah has grown his game and positional awareness as a wing back since that match, and Gressel has proven to be a difference-maker. 

Midfielders Aidan Morris and captain Darlington Nagbe will be tasked with breaking the Union’s diamond and counter pressing to not allow quick transitions in the midfield, a task that may be easier if All-Star Jose Martinez remains out with an injury. 

Midfielder Alex Matan was an afterthought for the Crew of Caleb Porter. Nancy made a statement in the opening match of the season when Matan was in the starting lineup and then was involved in Philadelphia’s own goal to put Columbus ahead 1-0. Forward Diego Rossi’s pressure and line-breaking runs should help pin fullback Oliver Mbazio back and prevent counter attacks starting from deeper positions. Forward Cucho Hernandez created the own goal in the last match and will look to keep his attacking form of seven goals in four matches. Hernandez was unable to find the back of the net against Dallas but certainly made the game uncomfortable for the Texas club.