With the majority of top leagues across Europe coming to an end, it’s time for Major League Soccer to step up. There are plenty of reasons why this campaign has the potential to be incredibly exciting but beyond that, it’s just been nice to see the continued growth and development of the game in North America. Today, we’ll be taking a look at the upcoming clash between Orlando City and Columbus Crew.
Orlando Form GuideLast year, Orlando City had the kind of campaign that had many believing in them all over again. The boys in purple were able carve out a really solid season and managed to reach the playoffs, with the big question now being whether or not they can repeat that success. There’s no guarantee one way or the other, but one thing is for sure, they have a fanbase that’s hungry to see them go even further.
So far, so average for Orlando. They are on the outskirts of the playoff picture looking in with four wins, four draws and five losses to their name. The most disappointing part, however, is probably their inability to really get going in the final third.
Columbus Form GuideLast season, Columbus Crew once again proved why they’re one of the most revered franchises in all of Major League Soccer. Following a late run that saw them finish third in the Eastern Conference, the Crew managed to go deep into the playoffs, finishing off their run with an unforgettable triumph over Los Angeles FC in the MLS Cup final.
Columbus have had a really steady start to the campaign as they attempt to successfully defend their championship. They have five wins and six draws to their name with only two defeats, and in terms of their goal difference, they’ve conceded just 13 goals - with some question marks over their attacking prowess.
Match PredictionIt certainly feels as if Orlando and Columbus are on a pretty even footing in terms of overall quality and in a game like this, we don’t think they’ll be ready to take too many chances. We anticipate a technical and nervy game, and in terms of a prediction, we’re going to shoot for a draw.
