Columbus Crew vs New York City FC
New York City FC edge Columbus Crew in tight contest
A penalty and a well-taken goal secure a narrow win for NYCFC despite a last-gasp penalty from Columbus.
New York City FC claimed a narrow 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer, with N. Fernández Mercau opening the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half and A. Ojeda doubling the lead after the break. Columbus Crew's D. Gazdag converted a stoppage-time penalty, but it was too little too late. The result defied Fipster's prediction of a 1-1 draw, adding a touch of drama to the fixture.
Analysis
Columbus Crew host New York City FC in what promises to be a closely contested MLS regular season match. Both teams have shown attacking prowess and resilience, setting the stage for an entertaining encounter.
This is a regular season MLS fixture where Columbus Crew and New York City FC have met 20 times previously, with Columbus winning 9, NYCFC 6, and 5 draws. The teams have averaged nearly 3 goals per game in their head-to-head clashes, indicating a lively match ahead.
Columbus Crew have been consistent scorers at home, netting in their last five matches, with Diego Rossi leading the charge with 7 goals this season and strong recent form. Mohamed Farsi's creativity from defence adds to their attacking threat. New York City FC, meanwhile, boast Nicolás Fernández Mercau as their top scorer with 7 goals and a high match rating, supported by playmaker Maxi Moralez. Both sides have key players in form, suggesting a balanced contest likely to end level.
Prediction
The prediction is a 1-1 draw, reflecting the closely matched nature of these teams. The aggregated probabilities favour a draw with a 51% confidence level, and the expected total cards are around four, indicating a competitive but fair game.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Columbus Crew's home scoring streak
Columbus Crew has scored in all last 5 home games, showing strong attacking momentum at home.
NYCFC's superior goal difference and form
NYCFC ranks higher with better goal difference and recent form, indicating slight edge in quality.
Key players in form for both teams
Diego Rossi and Nicolás Fernández Mercau show strong recent form, likely to influence scoring chances.
Creative midfielders to unlock defenses
Maxi Moralez and Mohamed Farsi provide creative assists, crucial for breaking down defenses.
Key Takeaways
With both Columbus Crew and New York City FC bringing strong attacking options and solid recent performances, a draw seems the most fitting outcome. Fans can anticipate a spirited match with goals from key players on both sides.
- Columbus Crew have won 9 of 20 matches against New York City FC, with 5 draws and 6 losses.
- Head-to-head matches average 2.9 total goals, indicating moderately high scoring games.
- Columbus Crew have scored in all of their last 5 home games, showing strong attacking momentum.
- Nicolás Fernández Mercau is NYCFC's top scorer with 7 goals this season and high match ratings.
- Diego Rossi leads Columbus Crew with 7 goals this season and consistent recent form.
- Mohamed Farsi has provided 3 assists this season, including 2 in the last home game.
- NYCFC's Maxi Moralez has 5 assists this season, acting as a key creative force.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Columbus Crew
Away — New York City FC
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
Fernández Mercau
Penalty
Gray
Yellow Card
Traoré
Jones
Thiaré
Yellow Card
Arfsten
Yellow Card
Unknown
Amundsen
Ojeda
Assist: Talles Magno
Bangoura
Thiaré
Shore
Habroune
Yellow Card
Axundzadə
Cavallo
Gazdag
Penalty
Sands
Yellow Card
Match Statistics
Columbus Crew
4-4-2Starting XI
- 4R. CamachoD
- 16T. HabrouneF
- 17S. BangouraM
- 18M. AmundsenD
- 19J. ThiaréF
- 23M. FarsiD
- 25S. ZawadzkiD
- 27M. ArfstenM
- 28P. SchulteG
- 90N. AxundzadəM
Substitutes
- 1N. HagenG
- 7D. ChambostM
- 8D. GazdagM
- 12Cesar RuvalcabaD
- 14A. SejdićM
- 30H. PicardM
- 31S. MoreiraD
- 45Owen PresthusD
- 46Chase AdamsF
New York City FC
4-1-4-1Starting XI
- 2Nico CavalloD
- 6J. SandsD
- 7N. Fernández MercauM
- 8A. PereaM
- 9B. TraoréF
- 13Thiago MartinsD
- 24T. GrayD
- 26A. OjedaM
- 32J. ShoreM
- 49M. FreeseG
- 88M. JonesM
Substitutes
- 11Talles MagnoF
- 15K. PierreM
- 17H. WolfF
- 23Maxwell MurrayD
- 29M. CarrizoM
- 30T. RomeroG
- 35M. IleničD
- 87A. FarnosF
- 99S. ReidF
Columbus Crew
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taha Habroune | F | 96 | 7.3 | — | — | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2/3 |
| Malte Amundsen | D | 64 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Sekou Tidiany Bangoura | M | 74 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 3/3 |
| Patrick Schulte | G | 96 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mohamed Farsi | D | 96 | 6.6 | — | — | 1 | — | 1 | 2/3 |
| Maximilian Arfsten | M | 96 | 6.3 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4/6 |
| Jamal Thiaré | F | 75 | 6.3 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — |
| Sean Zawadzki(C) | D | 96 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nariman Akhundzade | M | 83 | 6.2 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | 0/3 |
| Rudy Camacho | D | 96 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Owen Presthus | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Amar Sejdic | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nicholas Hagen | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cesar Ruvalcaba | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dániel Gazdag | M | 21 | 7.3 | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Chase Adams | F | 13 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Steven Moreira | D | 32 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Dylan Chambost | M | 22 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hugo Picard | M | 33 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
New York City FC
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicolás Fernández | M | 96 | 8.2 | 1 | — | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4/6 |
| Agustin Ojeda | M | 96 | 7.6 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 0/2 |
| Thiago Martins(C) | D | 96 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Matthew Freese | G | 96 | 7.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Andrés Perea | M | 96 | 6.9 | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 0/1 |
| James Sands | D | 96 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Malachi Jones | M | 55 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/3 |
| Nico Cavallo | D | 83 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Bénie Traoré | F | 55 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Jonathan Shore | M | 77 | 6.5 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tayvon Gray | D | 96 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Mitja Ilenič | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Arnau Farnos | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Murray | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Seymour Garfield-Reid | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Tomás Romero | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Talles Magno | F | 41 | 6.9 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — |
| Kevin Pierre | M | 19 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Máximo Carrizo | M | 13 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Hannes Wolf | F | 41 | 6.6 | — | — | — | — | — | — |