NYCFC vs Columbus Crew: Preview, Prediction & Betting Picks

Both teams are in great form coming into this game, though Columbus will be hoping to bounce back from Champions Cup defeat. New York have looked unstoppable in recent weeks and we expect this to continue with another win – NYCFC 2-1 Columbus Crew

Get ready for a battle between two in-form teams this Saturday night as New York City FC hosts Columbus Crew at Yankee Stadium! Here's the lowdown for American soccer fans:

Match Info:

• Date: June 15th, 2024
• Time: 7:30 PM Eastern Time (ET)
• Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
• Where to watch: Apple TV

NYCFC are on fire, riding a five-game winning streak that has propelled them to third place in the Eastern Conference. With 29 points and two games in hand on the leader, Inter Miami, they have a legitimate shot at the top spot. Their high-powered offense, led by Santiago Rodriguez and Adrian Martinez's combined 12 goals, has been clicking on all cylinders.

Columbus Crew, currently in seventh place, are also enjoying a strong season with only two losses. However, they'll be looking to rebound after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Mexican side Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champions League final. Their attack is well-balanced with Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernandez each contributing four goals.

These teams have a history of tight contests, with Columbus holding a slight edge with five wins to NYCFC's three in their last ten meetings. Seven of those matches saw both teams score, and the last two encounters ended in dramatic 94th-minute equalizers for a 1-1 draw.

NYCFC
In their last five games, New York City have been perfect, winning all five. It has been a dominant stretch which has helped them climb the standings. They started this run with a narrow 3-2 win away at Toronto. They went ahead midway through the first half from the spot, with Santiago Rodriguez converting the penalty. The lead was doubled on the stroke of half time through Malachi Jones, but the hosts were back in the game shortly after the restart as Federico Bernadeschi pulled one back. Andres Perea added an insurance goal, though another strike from the home side in the 89th minute made it nervy in the closing stages, however New York were able to hold on.

They made it two wins in a row with a 2-1 victory at Philadelphia Union. It was a very quick start for the visitors with striker Alonso Martinez opening the scoring in just the second minute. They made it two in first half stoppage time through Hannes Wolf to give them a comfortable lead at the break. Julian Carranza halved the deficit shortly into the second, but this is how the score remained. New York Red Bulls were the next opponents, and they inflicted a second consecutive 2-1 defeat. Once again it was a quick start, this time Wolf opening the scoring in the third minute.

Red Bulls equalised through Cameron Harper just before the break, but Mounsef Bakrar restored City’s lead midway through the second half. Another victory followed, with a tight 1-0 win away at New England Revolution. It was an even game with both sides enjoying plenty of shot attempts, but the decisive goal did not come until the 81st minute, with Keaton Parks’ strike the difference. Their most recent game was their biggest of the stretch, as they crushed San Jose Earthquakes 5-1 at home. All of the goals came in the second half, the first from Wolf in the 50th minute. The visitors responded instantly, but four goals in the final 10 minutes plus stoppage time took the game away. This included a late hat-trick from Martinez.

Columbus Crew

In their last five games, Columbus Crew have won three and lost two. It has been a decent stretch for Columbus, though they did taste defeat in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. This came in their most recent game as they lost 3-0 to Mexican side Pachuca. Ex-Premier League striker Salomon Rondon scored twice either side of a Miguel Emilio Rodriguez Marcias goal.
This followed a league victory at Orlando City.

They won 2-0, but had just three shots on target in the whole match. Diego Rossi scored both goals, with the first coming on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot. He scored his second 15 minutes into the second half to secure the win. This made it a third win in a row after victories against Chicago Fire and Montreal Impact. The first of those was a 3-1 at Montreal. They took the lead early through Maximilian Arfsten, but were pegged back by a penalty just before the break. Diego Rossi restored the Columbus lead, before Maino Hinestroza added a third at the death.

They repeated this scoreline away at Chicago. Rossi’s strike after half an hour put them in front, and Christian Ramirez scored in the second half to double the lead. Carlos Teran pulled one back with five minutes to go to make the ending a little nervy, but Jacen Russell-Rowe added some insurance three minutes later. Their first game of this run ended in a 2-1 home defeat to Cincinnati. It was goalless for the majority before the away side scored twice in as many minutes to take a two-goal lead. Columbus pulled one back through Arfsten, but were unable to complete the comeback.

NYCFC

New York City should have a mostly fit squad to choose from for this game. Defender Rio Hope-Gund missed the last game with a leg injury, so his availability is in question.

Columbus Crew

Goalkeeper Evan Bush has been missing with an arm injury but is nearing a return. However it remains to be seen if this game comes too soon. They do not have any other injury concerns otherwise.