D.C. United has only lost twice in its last eight meetings with the Crew, but Columbus is always a tricky place to play. The Crew enters the weekend having won twice in a row after going winless in four of its first five games.
The match will mark the return to Ohio for D.C. United and former Maryland midfielder Dominic Mediate, who made 11 appearances as a rookie last season with Columbus. Mediate availed himself nicely in his first start for United last weekend against Kansas City. But D.C. head coach Peter Nowak may replace him in the starting 11 against the Crew with midfielder Clyde Simms, who has recovered from a hamstring strain.
In his first year with Columbus, veteran MLS head coach Sigi Schmid, who spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy, has made a number of player moves as he seeks to begin a new era for one of the league’s lowliest franchises. The Crew acquired midfielder Ned Grabavoy and forward Joseph Ngwenya in a trade with the Galaxy this week.
D.C. United (4-1-2) at Columbus Crew (3-3-1)
» Where: Crew Stadium
» When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
» TV: Comcast SportsNet
» Radio: WMET-1160 AM, WACA-1540 AM
