Just 10 days removed from a historic CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final victory over Monterrey in Mexico, the Crew returns to MLS action in the Hell is Real Derby. The Black & Gold welcome their instate rival to the capital city on Saturday in the first edition of the Hell is Real Derby in 2024 and the first since the Crew’s historic victory in the 2023 Eastern Conference Final.

In addition to the bragging rights that come with winning a derby match, this match is important as each side finds themselves near the top of the Eastern Conference. Here’s everything you need to know about Columbus’s opponents Saturday and how the Crew can paint Ohio Black & Gold again Saturday. 

Opponents at a Glance:

Record: 6-3-2, 21 points

League Form:  W,W,W,L,L

Leading Scorer: Luciano Acosta (5)

Assist Leader: Luciano Acosta (5)

Player to Watch: Luciano Acosta 

Despite some question marks surrounding his availability for this match, there’s no doubt that Acosta is the player to watch for the opposition on Saturday. The 29-year-old Argentine is the reigning MLS MVP after a 2023 campaign to remember that saw him record 21 goals and 14 assists across all competitions. Lucho is off to a hot start this year as well with six goals and six assists in all competitions thus far. Acosta is an excellent player on the ball and can pick opponents apart with accurate long-range passing, defense splitting through balls, or dribbling through opponents by himself. Acosta also has an excellent finishing touch around goal when he finds himself with time and space to shoot. With Aaron Boupendza out with a broken jaw, Acosta will likely be at the heart of his side’s attacking play on Saturday. 

How the opponents play: 

Head Coach Pat Noonan is in his third year at the helm in Southwest Ohio and has used much of what has worked in the past thus far in 2024. His side have a huge emphasis on transition but have improved in both creating attacking opportunities in possession and maintaining possession in this new campaign. Despite potentially missing a few key players, his side will pose a challenge for the Black & Gold on Saturday. 

Noonan’s side almost exclusively uses a back three, similar to Columbus. In possession, Noonan employs a 3-4-1-2 shape with wing backs pushing up the field and a midfield base of 2 players helping circulate the ball with the back three. Acosta has the freedom to roam about and look for space to receive the ball. The two strikers will look to threaten with runs in behind and stretch their opponent’s backline. This shape usually allows for easy circulation of the ball in their defensive half, while opening up gaps in the attacking part of the field for Acosta and company to receive the ball. 

Defensively, Noonan is also remarkably similar to Wilfried Nancy in his setup. Like Columbus, Noonan’s side will drop their wing backs into the back line to create a back 5. Their midfield will consist of two central midfielders looking to anticipate play and intercept passes. While three forward players look to apply pressure up the field and make play predictable for those in behind. This 5-2-3 shape is very similar to Columbus’s defensive shape, so it should not confuse the Crew too much. 

How the Crew can win:

The Crew will be looking to gain momentum and points in MLS play on the heels of their historic CCC run. What better way to kickstart their MLS campaign than a Hell is Real Derby win? Here are three things the Crew can do to give them the best chance at winning on Saturday. 

1. Rest Defense and Defending in Transition: Despite their improvement in possession thus far in 2024, Noonan’s sides’ bread and butter is still attacking transition. This is an area the Crew will be well versed in thanks to Nancy and his game model, but regardless will have to be sharp on Saturday. Look for the Crew to emphasize recovering the ball quickly after losing it to limit their vulnerability in transition. The Crew backline and midfield will need to be well positioned away from the ball as well in case the initial pressure is beaten. 
2. Beat the Pressure: Noonan’s side usually applies very specific and intense pressure when the Crew is in possession. Whether it’s high up the field or in a mid-block, the Crew will need to handle and beat the pressure. Look for the Crew to limit turnovers, especially in the middle third of the field. Additionally, look for the Crew to play “line-breaking” passes. These passes “break” opponent’s defensive lines by playing through gaps between the players. For the Crew specifically, these are often from defenders to forwards or wing backs. 
3. Up, Back, Though: This may be overly specific but there is a pattern of play that could prove lethal for Columbus on Saturday. When Columbus is able to play into the frontline, an opposition center back will likely be on the backside of the receiving player. Thus pulling said defender out of position in their defensive line. When these defenders are out of their defensive position, there is space for attacking players to run into. Thus, if the Crew can play up into the forward line, back into their midfield line, and then through to an attacking player running in behind, they could experience a lot of success on Saturday.