Match Report
The table gap was wide: 20 points between New England (3rd, 43 pts) and Columbus Crew (13th, 23 pts). On recent form Columbus Crew sat only 30th league-wide over the last five rounds, well short of their 13th overall. Against a league average of 1.6 goals per team per game, Columbus Crew ran at 1.4 scored and 1.68 conceded, New England at 1.64 and 1.24.
Columbus Crew had lost three in a row, having scored in 11 consecutive games.
Across 6 recorded meetings, Columbus Crew have 3 wins to New England's 3, with 0 draws, at 3.17 goals per meeting. Hosting has counted for little in this fixture — the home side has won only 33% of those meetings. History points to goals: 67% of the meetings had three or more.
The venue was Lower.com Field, with room for 20,371 spectators. On the scoreboard, New England led 2-1 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 1-3.
Goal scorers
Columbus Crew: Brais Méndez (8') · New England: Matt Polster (32'), Dor Turgeman (41'), Carles Gil (79')
Key stats
Possession: Columbus Crew 55% · New England 45% · Total shots: 7-21 · On target: 1-11 · Corners: 5-5