DC United welcome Columbus Crew to Audi Field on Wednesday, 9 September, in Major League Soccer Regular Season matchday 24. Kick-off is at 23:30 UTC in what shapes up as a closely contested mid-table meeting.
DC United sit twelfth in the 30-team table with 25 points from 22 matches. Their record reads five wins, ten draws and seven defeats, with a goals tally of 28 scored and 36 conceded. Columbus Crew occupy thirteenth place, one position below their hosts, on 23 points from 23 matches played — six wins, five draws and twelve defeats, with 34 goals scored and 39 conceded. The gap between the two sides is two points.
Recent form tells a similar story for both clubs. DC United have taken three points from their last five matches, a run that includes two draws against CF Montreal and Nashville SC, a draw at home to Los Angeles FC, and defeats to Charlotte and New England Revolution. Columbus Crew have also gathered three points from their last five outings, with a home win over Colorado Rapids their sole bright spot alongside four consecutive defeats to New England Revolution, Nashville SC, CF Montreal and Charlotte.
DC United's ten draws from 22 matches stand as a notable feature of their season, while Columbus Crew's twelve defeats in 23 outings underline the difficult campaign they have endured. Both sides head into this fixture having found winning form elusive of late.
With both teams level on recent form and separated by only two points in the Major League Soccer table, Wednesday's match at Audi Field carries genuine significance for the standings. The home side have played one match fewer than Columbus Crew, adding an extra dimension to where the two clubs stand at this stage of the Regular Season.