Columbus Crew
- Columbus Crew have endured a tough start to MLS 2026, coming into this weekend’s game in 22nd place with just five points from their first six games, but they should get the better of an equally poor Orlando City SC (29th, 3pts) on Sunday.
- The Crew have won one, drawn two and lost two of their last five MLS games, suffering a 2-1 defeat away to Toronto FC before a resounding 3-0 win in Canada four days ago.
- Henrik Rydström has made a number of tweaks to the Crew’s playing style this term, but the most notable has been a move towards a more compact, positional system with high-pressing elements and more patient, possession-first football.
- Their build-up play hasn’t been particularly effective but they can explode in terms of tempo when they want to, forcing their opponents into errors and recovering quickly to maintain the tempo.
Orlando City SC
- Orlando City SC have endured back-to-back away defeats, being routed 5-0 by Nashville SC and 6-0 by Los Angeles FC.
- Orlando City SC have lost all three away games in MLS 2026, allowing 16 goals (5.33 per game).
- There is still a lot to like about the way Orlando set up, particularly the pacey, direct style and the creativity of players like Ivan Angulo, who has two assists in six MLS 2026 games, but the transition play has been lacking and they don’t have the quality to play on the back foot for long periods.
Head-to-Head
Columbus Crew have won three of their last five meetings with Orlando City SC , drawing the other ( 1-1, H2H 2025 ).
Key Players
Wessam Abou Ali - the leading scorer in the MLS 2026 season with five goals in six games , four of which have come in his last five appearances.
- Form: hot striker who can decide the game quickly.
- Ivan Angulo - creative outlet for Orlando with two assists in six MLS 2026 games.
Betting Insights
- Orlando have conceded 16 goals in three away games, a major defensive trend to note.
- Wessam Abou Ali has 5 goals in 6 games and is the key attacking threat for Columbus.
- Columbus have a mixed run of form with one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five MLS games.
Prediction
- The contrast between the styles of both teams could make for an entertaining matchup with goals at both ends unlikely.
- Columbus can cover all bases and should get the three points.
- Main selection: a home win and a shutout.
