Atlanta United vs Columbus Crew

Atlanta United take on Columbus Crew in game two of MLS Cup playoffs, with Thiago Almada back in the side with his team down 1-0 in the series.

Columbus flexed their muscles in game one at Lower.com Field, winning 2-0 on the night as the Five Stripes were without their best player in Almada. The Crew nullified just about everything Atlanta threw at them, but it’ll be a different story in game two with the Argentina international back in the mix.

Will the Five Stripes win to keep their postseason dreams alive, or will the Crew seal qualification to the next round with a sweep on the road?

Atlanta United vs Columbus Crew H2H record

Other than Machop Chol, who recently underwent a procedure to repair a hamstring tendon injury, Atlanta have no new injury concerns.

Atlanta United predicted lineup vs Columbus Crew ( 4-2-3-1 ): Guzan; Lennon, Robinson, Abram, Wiley; Muyumba, Rossetto; Lobjanidze, Almda, Silva; Giakoumakis.

The Crew have a clean injury report (outside of Will Sands recovering from a long-term knee problem) ahead of game two, meaning head coach Wilfried Nancy will have his full squad available for selection.

Columbus Crew predicted lineup vs Atlanta United ( 3-4-3 ): Schulte; Moreira, Camacho, Amundsen; Gressel, Nagbe, Morris, Yeboah; Rossi, Hernandez, Matan.

Nancy’s Crew have stumped the Five Stripes in their three meetings in 2023, winning twice and drawing once — a last minute headed effort from Miles Robinson at the end of the regular season.

Atlanta have to win to stay alive in the playoffs, so Almada and Co. will go all out to create chances to force game three, leaving the defensive end exposed for the likes of Diego Rossi and Cucho Hernandez to pounce. However, Atlanta will just about get this one over the line to set up an all-decisive game three at Lower.com Field.

Prediction: Atlanta United 2-1 Columbus Crew

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