The Black & Gold surged to the top of the Eastern Conference standings last weekend with a 2-1 victory over CF Montréal at Lower.com Field. Goals from AZ and Jacen Russell-Rowe secured a second consecutive win for the Crew. Now, Columbus travels to St. Louis for the first time in club history, eyeing a third straight victory.

In addition to their on-field momentum, the Crew received a major boost this week by acquiring Hungarian international Dániel Gazdag from the Philadelphia Union. Gazdag, who tallied 72 goals and 25 assists in 161 MLS appearances, brings proven quality to Columbus. Whether or not he features on Sunday night, the Crew will feel confident heading into a matchup with a St. Louis City side currently on a three-game losing skid.

St. Louis CITY SC at a Glance:

Record: 2-2-3, 8 points

League Form: L-L-L-W-W

Leading Scorer: Marcel Hartel, Eduard Lowen, Cedric Teuchert, Simon Becher(1)

Assist Leader: Henry Kessler, Cedric Teuchert, Kyle Hiebert (1)

Player to Watch: Marcel Hartel

With five goals and five assists after his midsummer arrival in St. Louis, Hartel was one of the players pundits were most excited about heading into 2025. The 29-year-old German has only recorded one goal so far in 2025, but make no mistake, Hartel has the quality to start making a lot of noise quickly. As an attacker, Hartel has the ability to explode into space and punish defenses with a variety of finishes. He is also capable of pulling the strings himself in attack when he finds time and space to put his teammates in on goal. The Crew will need to keep close tabs on Hartel Sunday night to keep St. Louis at bay. 

How Saint Louis play: 

Olof Mellberg is in his first season in charge at St. Louis. A standout player in his day, Mellberg is now establishing his identity in the coaching world after building his résumé in his native Sweden.

Despite their three-game losing streak, Mellberg’s side poses plenty of danger. He employs a fluid system that morphs from a back three in possession to a back five defensively. While this mirrors Wilfried Nancy’s setup in Columbus, the tactical philosophies diverge sharply.

Mellberg’s teams are aggressive, high-pressing, and direct in transition, while Nancy emphasizes controlled possession and patient buildup. This contrast sets the stage for a compelling tactical battle. Expect St. Louis to press relentlessly from the opening whistle, while Columbus will look to play through that pressure and dictate the tempo.

How the Crew Can Win

At the top of the East, the Crew will be eager to maintain their position with a road win. While away victories are never easy in MLS, Columbus has every reason to feel optimistic. Here’s what they’ll need to do to secure all three points:

1. Beat the Press
St. Louis will press high and hard. The Crew must be composed under pressure and avoid costly turnovers in their defensive third. Breaking that press will open up space and create chances going the other way.

2. Prevent Counters
St. Louis attacks quickly after regaining possession. The Crew must be sharp in transition defense, applying immediate pressure after losing the ball to slow St. Louis down and give the backline time to reset.

3. Stay Patient in Attack
This matchup could frustrate Columbus. With contrasting styles, heavy tackling, and a disciplined St. Louis backline, goals may not come easily. The Crew will need to remain composed, trust their game plan, and keep probing throughout the 90 minutes.