Atlanta United FC vs Columbus Crew SC, MLS 2026 MLS IS BACK GROUP STAGE
Overview
Match Preview
Atlanta United FC vs Columbus Crew SC — MLS at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
- Atlanta United FC 14 games · 11 pts (2026/26)
- Columbus Crew SC 15 games · 16 pts (2026/26)
Match Details
- Referee Allen Chapman
- Referee Andrew Bigelow
- Referee Jason White
- Referee David Gantar
- Referee Timothy Ford
8 games this season
🟨 2.6/game
⚽ 7.4 goals/game
Standings
| # | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville SC | 14 | 33 |
| 2 | Internacional CF Miami | 15 | 31 |
| 3 | Chicago Fire FC | 14 | 26 |
| 4 | New England Revolution | 14 | 25 |
| 5 | New York Red Bulls | 15 | 22 |
| 6 | Charlotte FC | 15 | 21 |
| 7 | FC Cincinnati | 15 | 20 |
| 8 | New York City FC | 15 | 19 |
| 9 | D.C. United SC | 15 | 18 |
| 10 | Columbus Crew SC | 15 | 16 |
| 11 | Toronto FC | 14 | 14 |
| 12 | Montreal Impact FC | 14 | 14 |
| 13 | Orlando City SC | 15 | 14 |
| 14 | Atlanta United FC | 14 | 11 |
| 15 | Philadelphia Union | 15 | 7 |
| 16 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 14 | 32 |
| 17 | San Jose Earthquakes | 15 | 32 |
| 18 | Real Salt Lake | 14 | 26 |
| 19 | FC Dallas | 15 | 25 |
| 20 | Los Angeles FC | 15 | 24 |
| 21 | Seattle Sounders FC | 13 | 24 |
| 22 | Houston Dynamo | 14 | 22 |
| 23 | Minnesota United FC | 15 | 22 |
| 24 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 15 | 20 |
| 25 | San Diego FC | 15 | 17 |
| 26 | Colorado Rapids SC | 15 | 16 |
| 27 | St. Louis City | 14 | 16 |
| 28 | Portland Timbers | 14 | 14 |
| 29 | Austin FC | 15 | 14 |
| 30 | Sporting Kansas City | 14 | 11 |
Head-to-Head
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jul | Columbus Crew SC | H | 0–1 | L |
| 16 Jul | FC Cincinnati | H | 0–1 | L |
| 12 Jul | New York Red Bulls | H | 0–1 | L |
| 08 Mar | FC Cincinnati | H | 2–1 | W |
| 01 Mar | Nashville SC | A | 2–1 | W |
| 31 Oct | Toronto FC | A | 2–1 | W |
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 Jul | Atlanta United FC | A | 1–0 | W |
| 17 Jul | New York Red Bulls | H | 2–0 | W |
| 12 Jul | FC Cincinnati | A | 4–0 | W |
| 08 Mar | Seattle Sounders FC | A | 1–1 | D |
| 01 Mar | New York City FC | H | 1–0 | W |
| 06 Oct | Toronto FC | A | 0–1 | L |
Season Stats
| Atlanta United FC | Columbus Crew SC | |
|---|---|---|
| #14 | Position | #10 |
| 11 | Points | 16 |
| 14 | Played | 15 |
| 3 / 2 / 9 | W / D / L | 4 / 4 / 7 |
| 14 | Scored | 21 |
| 23 | Conceded | 23 |
| -9 | GD | -2 |
| 0.79 | PPG | 1.07 |
| 21% | Win % | 27% |
Key Stats
67%
Both Teams to Score
H2H (18 games)
H2H (18 games)
61%
Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
H2H history
14%
Clean Sheets
Atlanta United FC this season
Atlanta United FC this season
27%
Clean Sheets
Columbus Crew SC this season
Columbus Crew SC this season
Atlanta United FC are 14th (11 pts). Columbus Crew SC are 10th (16 pts).
Goal Timing (This Season)
Atlanta United FC
0-15
–/2
16-30
–/2
31-45
1/1
46-60
2/2
61-75
1/4
76+
1/2
■ Scored ■ Conceded
Columbus Crew SC
0-15
2/3
16-30
2/1
31-45
2/1
46-60
3/2
61-75
1/2
76+
1/2
■ Scored ■ Conceded
Events
Match Events
- 0' Both captains have shaken hands and the referee is ready. We are underway at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex!
- 5' A moment of individual brilliance could settle this. Both teams are waiting for that decisive action.
- 10' Columbus Crew SC fans have not had much to celebrate tonight. Their side is struggling to get forward.
- 15' Spectators do not have much to choose from both teams. The sides had several scoring chances but they still need a bit more than just a sight of a goal.
- 18' What composure from Youness Mokhtar! The Morocco international strokes it home. 0-1.
- 23' While there is no rush on the pitch, let’s have a look at some stats. Luis Diaz made 284 appearances and scored 6 goals. He is very likely to score a goal today.
- 25' The referee does not hesitate — a Yellow card for Milton Valenzuela on 25 minutes.
- 30' Columbus Crew SC come into this ranked in Array. They desperately need points to push themselves up the standings.
- 35' Columbus Crew SC are happy to let the opposition have the ball in their own half. The trap is set.
- 40' The midfield battle is intense right now. Both Atlanta United FC and Columbus Crew SC are fighting for every inch of the pitch.
- 44' The whistle greets Youness Mokhtar as he departs to be replaced by Derrick Etienne.
- 45' Atlanta United FC player sees a Yellow card in front of him.
- 46' Fresh legs for Columbus Crew SC! Hector Jimenez comes on to replace Milton Valenzuela.
- 51' Andrew Tarbell has certainly something to prove this evening. He made 15 appearances with only 0 goals this season.
- 56' Brad Guzan needs to be pretty careful with his discipline considering 0 Yellow cards this season.
- 60' The referee has no hesitation. Pedro Santos is booked for Columbus Crew SC — Yellow card on 60.
- 60' A change in the Columbus Crew SC ranks — Gyasi Zardes exits the field as Fanendo Adi enters on 60.
- 61' Lucas Zelarayan has so much to prove this time. He replaces Pedro Santos on 61 minute.
- 66' Players seem to put ease on their energy level Spectators hardly appreciate such approach. Teams need to speed up the tempo.
- 69' Manuel Castro has so much to prove this time. He replaces George Bello on 69 minute.
- 72' Atlanta United FC manager makes another effort to make the tables turned. Anton Walkes is hanging Franco Escobar on the field on 72 minute.
- 73' Miles Robinson was booked on 73.
- 78' Jonathan Mensah is a natural and has been asked to do a very specific job for Atlanta United FC tonight.
- 80' The crowd applauds Darlington Nagbe as he leaves the pitch. Sebastian Berhalter steps in for Columbus Crew SC.
- 85' It’s a booking for Columbus Crew SC player. Hector Jimenez gets a Yellow card.
- 90' Columbus Crew SC player sees a Yellow card in front of him.
- It finishes all square. Atlanta United FC and Columbus Crew SC share the spoils 0-1.
Lineups
Atlanta United FC Lineups
Starting XI
- 11
- 10
- 20
- 8
-
2
Franco Escobar ↓ Anton Walkes 72'
- 1
- 12
-
21
George Bello ↓ Manuel Castro 69'
-
14
Adam Jahn ↓ Jon Gallagher 46'
- 29
-
6
Fernando Meza ↓ Eric Remedi 46'
Bench
-
4
Anton Walkes ↑ 72'
- 9
- 13
- 19
-
5
Eric Remedi ↑ 46'
-
18
Jeff Larentowicz ↑ 80'
- 25
-
15
Manuel Castro ↑ 69'
-
26
Jon Gallagher ↑ 46'
- 32
- 27
- 28
Coach
Frank de Boer
Columbus Crew SC Lineups
Starting XI
- 13
- 19
- 4
- 25
-
11
Gyasi Zardes ↓ Fanendo Adi 60'
-
7
Pedro Santos ↓ Lucas Zelarayan 61'
- 8
- 6
- 30
- 12
- 34
Bench
-
22
Derrick Etienne ↑ 44'
- 2
- 44
-
16
Hector Jimenez ↑ 46'
- 3
- 28
-
9
Fanendo Adi ↑ 60'
-
10
Lucas Zelarayan ↑ 61'
-
18
Sebastian Berhalter ↑ 80'
- 21
- 27
Coach
Caleb Porter
H2H
H2H Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Diego Rossi | 5 |
| Gyasi Zardes | 4 |
| Jonathan Mensah | 3 |
| Jacen Russell-Rowe | 3 |
| Wessam Abou Ali | 3 |
| Josef Martinez | 3 |
| Marcelo Herrera | 2 |
| Josef Martinez | 2 |
Head to Head
Atlanta United FC Form
Columbus Crew SC Form
2020-07-22
Atlanta United FC
0–1
Columbus Crew SC
W
2020-07-17
Columbus Crew SC
2–0
New York Red Bulls
W
2020-07-12
FC Cincinnati
0–4
Columbus Crew SC
W
2020-03-08
Seattle Sounders FC
1–1
Columbus Crew SC
D
2020-03-01
Columbus Crew SC
1–0
New York City FC
W
2019-10-06
Toronto FC
1–0
Columbus Crew SC
L
Predictions
Prediction accuracy
3 / 4
0.9
Atlanta United FC xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
1.37
Columbus Crew SC xG
I would bet for:
Columbus Crew SC or Draw 74% + Under 2.5 goals 61%
Match Result
✓ CorrectActual: Columbus Crew SC win
Both Teams to Score
✓ Correct
Avg goals/match: 2.27
Actual: No — clean sheet
Over / Under Goals
✓ O/U 2.5| Line | Over | Under | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ± 0.5 | 87% |
|
13% |
| ± 1.5 | 66% |
|
34% |
| ± 2.5 | 39% |
|
61% |
| ± 3.5 | 20% |
|
80% |
| ± 4.5 | 9% |
|
91% |
Double Chance
Atlanta United FC or Draw
56%
Draw or Columbus Crew SC
74%
Atlanta United FC or Columbus Crew SC
70%
Half-Time Result
✗ WrongActual: Columbus Crew SC win at HT
Correct Score
✓ In top 12
1 – 1
13.6%
0 – 1
Actual
0 – 0
12.6%
0 – 2
9.3%
1 – 2
8.4%
1 – 0
8.1%
2 – 1
5.5%
0 – 3
4.2%
2 – 0
4%
1 – 3
3.9%
2 – 2
3.9%
2 – 3
1.9%
Asian Handicap — Atlanta United FC
| Handicap | Atlanta United FC covers | Push | Columbus Crew SC covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2.5 | 2% | — | 98% |
| -2 | 2% | 6% | 92% |
| -1.5 | 8% | — | 92% |
| -1 | 8% | 15% | 77% |
| -0.5 | 23% | — | 77% |
| +0.5 | 54% | — | 46% |
| +1 | 54% | 24% | 22% |
| +1.5 | 78% | — | 22% |
| +2 | 78% | 14% | 8% |
| +2.5 | 92% | — | 8% |
Clean Sheet
Atlanta United FC keeps clean sheet
26%
✓
Columbus Crew SC keeps clean sheet
41%
✗
Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.