New England Revolution v Columbus Crew: Nancy hoping to build on important win

Wilfried Nancy insists Columbus Crew must continue to build on their latest victory to ensure they keep pace at the top of the Eastern Conference.

The Crew returned to winning ways in style following their defeat to Inter Miami, beating Kansas City 4-0 last time out courtesy of Cucho Hernandez’s hat-trick.

Nancy’s side sit in fifth place in the standings, two points behind Charlotte FC but with the luxury of three games in hand compared to Dean Smith’s side.

Despite their convincing victory in their last MLS fixture, Nancy is looking to replicate the Crew’s four-game unbeaten run they enjoyed last month moving forwards.

“It was really important also when I made all the changes that we stay focused on the task,” Nancy said.

“With all the celebration also was not easy because we can switch really quickly.

“I really wanted to help my team to have a clean sheet if possible and to score more goals because this is the level that we want to have. I don’t like when we take everything for granted.”

“I really wanted to help my team to have a clean sheet if possible and to score more goals because this is the level that we want to have.”

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— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) June 24, 2024

Meanwhile, the Revs also come into the fixture on an impressive run of form, beating high-flyers FC Cincinnati 2-1 away from home to extend their winning streak to four matches in the MLS.

Caleb Porter’s side welcome the Crew to the Gillette Stadium this weekend in search of improving their home form to climb up the Eastern Conference table.

New England have won just three of their last seven games in front of their supporters and know a win will see them move up from 12th in the standings, along with games in hand on many of the surrounding sides.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

New England – Cucho Hernandez

Cucho Hernandez scored his third career MLS hat-trick in the Crew’s win over Kansas City on Saturday, with all three coming within his last 20 games.

The Colombian is just the ninth player in MLS history to score three hat-tricks in a span of 20 games.

Columbus Crew – Giacomo Vrioni

It looks set to a battle of both side’s goal-scoring forwards, with Giacomo Vrioni looking to continue his hot streak for Nancy’s side.

Vrioni scored both of New England’s goals against Cincinnati on Saturday, the first time a Revolution player has scored more than one goal in a game this season.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN

The Crew come into the encounter in much the better form, having won five of their last six league matches (L1) following their win over Sporting Kansas City.

However, New England also boast an impressive winning streak of their own. Porter’s side have won four consecutive matches, having previously won just four of their previous league matches dating back to the beginning of September last year (D4 L14).

And it was the Crew who emerged victorious in the side’s last meeting. The win over New England last October ended a string of five straight draws between the sides. Columbus have lost only one of their last 12 against New England (W5 D6) dating back to 2018.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New England – 27.1%

Draw – 23.9%

Columbus Crew – 49%