Major League Soccer

Mar 2, 2025 at 12.30am UK

Gillette Stadium

New England vs Columbus Crew

Match preview

New England entered the new season with optimism after a solid pre-season in which they won four, drew one and lost one of their six matches.

However, they were unable to carry that momentum into their league opener and were held to a goalless draw away at Nashville SC last weekend.

Caleb Porter's men were second best for much of the game, registering fewer attempts, fewer shots on target and seeing less of the ball.

Last season was a difficult one for the Revs, who finished second in the Eastern Conference with just nine wins from 34 games, while they also struggled at both ends of the pitch, scoring the fewest goals (37) and conceding the second most (74).

Sunday's clash will be an opportunity for New England to pick up maximum points in their first home game of the season, but history is not on their side as they have lost their last two home meetings with Columbus.

The hosts are also winless in the last four meetings between the two sides at Gillette Stadium, with two draws and two defeats, although their last victory in this fixture came on home soil in May 2021.

Columbus Crew, the 2023 MLS champions, had a disappointing title defence last season, bowing out in the first round after losing a best-of-three series to New York Red Bulls.

Wilfried Nancy's side also started the campaign in underwhelming fashion, losing 4-1 to Nashville SC before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Houston Dynamo in pre-season.

However, they bounced back in style last weekend, coming from behind to claim a thrilling 4-2 win over Chicago Fire, with Diego Rossi's second-half brace sealing the victory.

The Crew will be confident of taking something away from this game, having done well against New England in the past, and they are unbeaten in their last six away games in normal time, a record that will give them added confidence going into Sunday's showdown.

Recent Performance

New England Revolution Major League Soccer form:WLLLLD

Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:DLWWWW

Columbus Crew form (all competitions):WWWLLW

Team News

New England Revolution will be without Tomas Chancalay, who has been sidelined since May last year with a serious knee injury.

American defender Peyton Miller is also out with a groin problem, while midfielder Matt Polster is out with a thigh injury.

Columbus Crew will be without Lassi Lappalainen, who continues to struggle with a thigh problem, while French defender Rudy Camacho is also out with a similar problem.

Young American defender Taha Habroune is out with the same problem, while goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen is also sidelined with a hand injury.

Possible starting lineup

New England Revolution possible starting lineup:

Ivacic; Bye, Fofana, Ceballos, Feingold; Langoni, Yueill, Yusuf, Ganago; Gil, Campana

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:

Schulte; Cheberko, Moreira, Amundsen; Arfsten, Chambost, Nagbe, Zawadski, Farsi; Rossi; Russell-Rowe