Vancouver Whitecaps make just their second-ever trip to Lower.com Field as they face off with Columbus Crew on Saturday in a clash between an Eastern Conference side struggling for form and a Western Conference team riding high atop the league standings.
Columbus Reeling After Miami Rout
A humbling 5-1 loss to Inter Miami sent the Columbus Crew tumbling to fifth in the Eastern Conference and extended their winless streak in league play to six matches. Wilfried Nancy’s side will be hoping that a two-week break proves to be a reset, as they cling to a playoff spot just three points clear of the cut-off line.
While recent form has been poor, the Crew have shown fight — they’ve managed to claim four points from losing positions in the second half of their past six league games. Their home form has been solid as well, with Columbus unbeaten in four straight MLS outings at Lower.com Field, where they’ve only lost once all season — also to Inter Miami.
Columbus have also fared well against the West this season, going unbeaten in four such fixtures and winning their last two 2-1. They’ll be looking for a repeat of their only previous home match against Vancouver at this venue — a commanding 4-0 win in the 2022 season opener.
Whitecaps Back on Track After Cup Setback
The Whitecaps bounced back from a brutal 5-0 CONCACAF Champions Cup defeat at Cruz Azul with a confident 3-0 win over the Seattle Sounders. Jesper Sorensen’s men didn’t allow a single shot on target in that match, reinforcing their credentials as one of the league’s stingiest defensive outfits.
Vancouver have now posted back-to-back clean sheets in league play and are the only unbeaten team on the road in MLS this season. They’ve allowed just four goals in seven away matches — two of those coming in their last road trip, a thrilling 3-2 win at Real Salt Lake.
Currently leading the Supporters’ Shield race, the Whitecaps boast the league’s best defence with just 12 goals conceded all season. However, their last win away to an Eastern Conference side dates back to September 2023, when they edged Toronto 2-1 after falling behind.
Form Guide
Columbus are winless in six league games, with three draws and three losses. Despite showing resilience, they continue to struggle defensively and lack consistent goal-scoring. In contrast, Vancouver have lost just once in any competition since April, with their MLS form showing three wins and three draws in their last six.
Team News
The Crew were without several regulars in their last match: goalkeeper Patrick Schulte (abdomen), Sean Zawadzki (knee), and Rudy Camacho (hamstring) were all sidelined, while backup keeper Nicolas Hagen is on international duty with Guatemala. Defender Cesar Ruvalcaba Perez scored his first-ever MLS goal in the loss to Miami.
The Whitecaps are missing several key players due to injury and international duty. Captain Ryan Gauld remains out with a knee injury, while Sam Adekugbe is out for the season. Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White are with the US Gold Cup squad, while Jayden Nelson and Ali Ahmed are away with Canada. Nonetheless, Jeevan Singh Badwal, Daniel Rios, and Damir Kreilach stepped up with goals against Seattle, and goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka earned his league-leading eighth clean sheet of the year.
Predicted Lineups
Columbus Crew:
Bush; Moreira, Cheberko, Amundsen; Farsi, Nagbe, Chambost, Lappalainen; Rossi, Gazdag; Russell-Rowe
Vancouver Whitecaps:
Takaoka; Laborda, Veselinovic, Blackmon, Ocampo; Priso, Cubas, Ngando; Sabbi, Rios, Vite
Kickoff:
Saturday, June 15 | 00:30 WAT | Lower.com Field
Prediction: Columbus Crew 1-3 Vancouver Whitecaps
Columbus have looked increasingly shaky defensively and lack bite in the final third. Vancouver, on the other hand, have a deep squad capable of coping with key absences. Their away record, defensive stability, and ability to punish lapses in concentration could see them cruise to another statement win on the road.