Matchday preview: Crew aim to defend home turf
The Columbus Crew will host D.C. United at ScottsMiracle‑Gro Field in Columbus on Saturday, Oct. 31, with kickoff set for 2:00 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on Apple TV. According to available projections, Columbus is favored on the money line at -144, while D.C. United is listed at +120 and the total is set at 3.
Expected to protect the posts are Patrick Schulte for the Crew and Sean Johnson for D.C. United. The matchup will pit two teams that have struggled to consistently keep opponents off the scoresheet this season: both clubs have recorded six clean sheets.
"The expected starting goalkeepers are Patrick Schulte for Columbus and Sean Johnson for D.C. United."
Where both teams stand
Columbus enters the fixture with a 7-12-12 record and 38 points on the season, averaging 1.23 points per match. The Crew have a goal total of 47 scored and 49 conceded, leaving them with a goal differential of -2. Their expected goals (xG) figure is 22.8, while expected goals against (xGA) sits at 20.2. The team has given up 49 goals and allow 1.58 goals per 90 minutes. Columbus has produced 95 saves and a save percentage of 66.0% this campaign.
D.C. United come to Columbus with a 11-5-15 record and 33 points, averaging 1.1 points per fixture. The Black-and-Red have scored 37 goals with an xG of 19.5 and allowed 55 goals, putting their goal differential at -18. The visitors have a save rate of 66.7% with 109 saves and have conceded 1.77 goals per 90 minutes. D.C. United have amassed 62 yellow cards and 2 red cards on the season.
- Columbus: 7-12-12, 47 GF, 49 GA, xG 22.8, xGA 20.2, 95 saves, 66.0% save rate
- D.C. United: 11-5-15, 37 GF, 55 GA, xG 19.5, 109 saves, 66.7% save rate
- Both teams: 6 clean sheets each
| Columbus Crew | D.C. United | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 7-12-12 | 11-5-15 |
| Points | 38 | 33 |
| Goals For | 47 | 37 |
| Goals Against | 49 | 55 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 22.8 | 19.5 |
| Save % | 66.0% | 66.7% |
Implications for Columbus
For the Crew, the match represents an opportunity to solidify home form and improve a points-per-match average that sits below many Eastern Conference contenders. Their xG ranking — listed at the top in one metric with 22.8 — suggests the team is creating chances, even if the conversion to goals has lagged compared with opponents.
Defensively, Columbus has allowed 144 shots on target against them this season, a figure that underlines a need for steadier protecting of their penalty area. Patrick Schulte, who has career totals listed in the available data (including 365 career saves and 28 shutouts), is expected to start and will be central to any effort to limit D.C.’s attacking chances.
D.C. United’s numbers suggest defensive vulnerability as well, with 55 goals conceded and a goal differential of -18. Their scoring output — 37 goals — and xG of 19.5 indicate they, too, have created chances but face conversion and defensive stability issues.
Saturday’s game will likely hinge on which side can more efficiently convert chances and which goalkeeper can make timely saves. With both teams posting similar save percentages and identical clean-sheet totals, fine margins could decide the result.
Fans planning to attend should note the early afternoon kickoff time and Apple TV broadcast option. Given the statistical parity in some defensive categories and the Crew’s home advantage, local supporters will be watching closely to see if Columbus can turn chance creation into the goals needed to climb the Eastern Conference table.
