The Columbus Crew will look for their first win of the season as they visit Atlanta United on Saturday evening.
Columbus started their season with a 3-2 loss to the Portland Timbers and has since drawn twice, currently sitting at 0-3-2 with 2 points. They have scored only five goals, tied with Atlanta and several other teams for the fewest in the league.
Despite the winless start, head coach Henrik Rydstrom has identified some positive aspects in the team’s performance.
“I’m addicted to winning, and when you don’t win, it’s tough,” Rydstrom said. “But if you focus solely on that, you can lose sight of the bigger picture. I aim to keep the players focused on the process.”
Atlanta United has also had a slow start, with a recent 0-0 draw against D.C. United following a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
Coach Tata Martino noted the team’s progress, even though it hasn’t translated into additional wins.
“We’ve seen an evolution from our first game to our fifth. While we may not deserve more points, we could have earned a few more,” Martino said through an interpreter.
For Atlanta, Matias Galarza will be unavailable due to visa issues, and Sergio Santos is questionable with a calf injury.
Columbus is missing Mo Farsi, who experienced a setback in his recovery from a sports hernia and hasn’t played since July 6, 2025.
Wessam Abou Ali and Alexey Miranchuk lead their teams in scoring, each with three goals.