Columbus Crew SC vs. FC Dallas | 2017 MLS Match Preview

Arielle Castillo

Columbus Crew SC vs. FC Dallas
2017 MLS Regular Season
MAPFRE Stadium – Columbus, OH
Saturday, Aug. 26 – 7:30 pm ET
WATCH: MLS LIVE

During another time of year, anyone would tremble at the thought of facing usual Western-dominating FC Dallas. Unfortunately for the Hoops and their fans, that's not currently the case. Counting Wednesday's 3-3 Texas Derby draw against Houston at Toyota Stadium, Dallas haven't been able to scrape together a win in their last five matches. So what's the deal? Their attack is faltering -- and a look at this year's stats on chances gives a clue as to why.

That's good news for Columbus, whose attack, is just fine, especially thanks to the likes of Ola Kamara and Justin Meram. Both tallied in the team's 2-0 shutout win over the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night. They're also already enjoying the recent addition of Pedro Santos. Add to that the fact that their home form has generally been pretty solid, and Saturday's match is Crew SC's to lose.

Columbus Crew SC

Suspended: None
International duty: None
Injury report: OUT: D - Gaston Sauro (left PCL surgery, out for season), M - Ben Swanson (right ankle surgery, out for season); QUESTIONABLE: M - Niko Hansen (thigh injury), M - Artur (left thigh strain)

Projected Starting XI (4-2-3-1, left to right): Zack Steffen – Waylon Francis, Lalas Abubakar, Jonathan Mensah, Harrison Afful – Mohammed Abu, Wil Trapp – Justin Meram, Federico Higuain, Pedro Santos – Ola Kamara

Notes: Columbus has won three consecutive and five of their last six games at home in league play, outscoring foes 13-4 in that time. They have kept five home clean sheets in 13 home matches this season, as many as they had in 17 home games in 2016.

FC Dallas

Suspended: None
International duty: None
Injury report: QUESTIONABLE: M - Mauro Diaz (hamstring injury)

Projected Starting XI (4-4-2, left to right): Jesse Gonzalez – Maynor Figueroa, Matt Hedges, Walker Zimmerman, Hernan Grana – Roland Lamah, Carlos Gruezo, Kellyn Acosta, Michael Barrios – Maxi Urruti, Cristian Colman

Notes: FC Dallas have conceded in their last seven away games in league play (1W-4L-2D), their longest such streak since conceding in 13-straight road games from Aug. 3, 2013 to March 21, 2014.