Kickoff: 2:00 p.m. ET at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (also referred to as Lower.com Field in some contexts), Columbus, Ohio. Broadcast on Apple TV.
Weather forecast (Columbus area):
Partly to mostly cloudy, high near 64–66°F, low around 52°F. East winds 5–10 mph, very low precipitation chance (near 0–5%). Cool, dry conditions suitable for play.
Standings & Context
Columbus sits 9th in the Eastern Conference with a +3 goal differential (52 GF, 49 GA). They are in the thick of the playoff race (Wild Card territory) and riding a four-game winning streak, most recently a 2-0 road win at FC Dallas. A strong finish is needed to secure postseason positioning.
D.C. United is 13th with a -18 GD (roughly 39 GF, 57 GA) and has been eliminated from playoff contention. They enter on a poor run and have struggled on the road (2-7-7). The Black-and-Red aim to spoil Columbus’ push and complete a season series sweep after a 2-1 home win on September 9.
Injury & Availability Reports
Columbus Crew: Wessam Abou Ali (knee) and Rudy Camacho (torso) are out. Sekou Bangoura has been listed with suspension/red-card issues in some reports (may be available after serving). Eric Bailly (lower leg) and Brais Méndez (thigh) are questionable.
D.C. United: Hosei Kijima (lower body), Louis Munteanu (lower leg), and Gabe Segal (lower leg) are out. Tai Baribo (hip) is questionable.
Key Players & Rosters
Columbus Crew (Laurent Courtois):
GK Patrick Schulte (strong season with multiple clean sheets). Defense features Sean Zawadzki, Steven Moreira, Malte Amundsen, Mohamed Farsi (Camacho out). Midfield/attack driven by Dylan Chambost (team leader in assists ~7), Taha Habroune (~5 goals), Santiago Rodríguez, Gonzalo Tapia (recent scoring form), Anass Zaroury, and others. High possession style with recent attacking surge.
D.C. United (René Weiler):
GK Sean Johnson or Alex Bono. Defense includes Lucas Bartlett, Kye Rowles, Keisuke Kurokawa, Silvan Hefti. Midfield: Andre Dozzell, Brandon Servania, Peglow, Jackson Hopkins. Attack centers on Tai Baribo (team’s leading scorer ~16 goals, hip questionable) and supporting pieces like Nathan Ordaz or Jared Stroud with Munteanu out. Road struggles and defensive vulnerabilities have defined the season.
Key Player Matchups
Taha Habroune / Gonzalo Tapia / Chambost vs. D.C. backline (Bartlett, Rowles, Kurokawa): Columbus’ creative and finishing options against a leaky D.C. defense.
Tai Baribo (if available) vs. Columbus center backs (Zawadzki, Amundsen, Moreira): Baribo’s finishing is D.C.’s primary threat.
Midfield control: Chambost and Habroune vs. Dozzell/Servania/Peglow—possession and transitions will be key.
Set pieces and counterattacks: Columbus’ home organization vs. D.C.’s need for opportunistic scoring.
Goalkeeper battle: Schulte’s consistency against Johnson/Bono.
Recent Form
Columbus: Strong—four straight wins (including 2-0 at Dallas, home wins over Toronto and Charlotte). Scoring freely (high output in recent games) while tightening defensively.
D.C. United: Poor—recent losses including 2-1 at Toronto, losses to Cincinnati, and earlier road struggles. Limited scoring and high goals conceded away from home.
Series History
The rivalry is long and competitive (dozens of meetings). Columbus holds a historical edge overall and especially at home. Recent: D.C. 2-1 win at Audi Field on Sept. 9, 2026 (Baribo involved). Prior meetings often close (many 1- or 2-goal games); Columbus has been strong at home against D.C. in recent years. Games frequently feature goals.
Betting Trends
Trends favor Columbus heavily: strong recent form, home advantage, and D.C.’s road woes and absences. High BTTS possible given both teams’ tendencies, but Columbus’ recent defensive improvements and D.C.’s low scoring road form could limit the total.
MATCH ODDS
D. C. United + 560
Columbus Crew SC – 222
Draw + 415
Over 3.5 + 108 Under 3.5 – 140
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 30, 2026
