Midweek games are not only reserved for the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, but MLS also plays weeknights. Following Saturday night’s draw with Orlando City SC, the Columbus Crew will return to Lower Comb Field on Wednesday night to face Western Conference foes LA Galaxy.
513 vs 614 – If you’re already looking forward to Saturday’s Derby, save that chatter for Thursday. Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy said that the club is aware that LA’s next two games will be big, but the team is treating the Galaxy matchup as their most important match to date. The goal is to have the best team play LA, so it’s all about freshness. Nancy said, “I can stay in the same team, I can change five players, six players, four players. It’s about analyzing and figuring out what the best profile is in terms of opposition.”
Assistant coach Yoan Dummett was the Galaxy’s assistant last year. Asked if it could help the crew approaching Wednesday, Nancy smiled.
Jacen Russell Lowe says he is entering new territory as a professional player. On Saturday night, he scored his second goal in MLS. However, the new waters are relevant for the club to balance a tight schedule, as the MLS and US Open Cup schedules overlap.
The Crewe have played midweek matches this season, but this Wednesday will be the first time the club will face an MLS opponent. Other games include a USL Championship team and next week’s Open Cup against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium.
Nancy reveals that the crew has not underestimated his LA Galaxy. Admittedly, the club has struggled this season and is one place off the bottom of the Western Conference, but the visiting team is heading into Columbus with momentum. Last Wednesday, Los Angeles defeated the Seattle Sounders FC in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. On Sunday night, the Galaxy won the California Classico 2-1 against the San Jose Earthquakes.
It’s worth noting that it’s the first time the Galaxy have played against an Eastern Conference club this season and have one less day to recuperate from a weekend game. These teams have not met since May 8, 2019, at Historic Crewe Stadium on opposite sides of the pandemic. Héctor Jiménez, Federico Higuain, and Gyasi Zardes dominated the visitors that night, and Crewe won 3-1.
Columbus Crew Hosts LA Galaxy on Wednesday, May 17, at 7:30 PM. To watch the game, tune in to 97.1 HD3/The Fun Stream or La Mega 103.1 FM. The current standings of Columbus Crew are 8th in Eastern Conference, and LA Galaxy stands at 13th in Western Conference.