Preview: Columbus Crew vs Orlando City - prediction, team news, lineups

Two sides seeking consecutive MLS wins before the start of the Leagues Cup will square off on Friday at Lower.com Field when the Columbus Crew host Orlando City.

A narrow 2-1 triumph over DC United last week kept the Crew in fourth place in the Eastern Conference table, six points ahead of Orlando, who are sixth after defeating the New England Revolution by that same score.

Match preview

Just a few days after a rare shutout defeat to Nashville SC (3-0), the Crew looked like their old selves against DC, netting multiple times for a 13th occasion in this competition.

Wilfried Nancy’s men are unbeaten in their last eight league fixtures at Lower.com Field, and on Friday, can win five consecutive matches in this competition for the first time since 2023.

With 10 matches remaining in the regular season, Columbus find themselves in a close race atop the Eastern Conference table with only four points separating them from arch-rivals FC Cincinnati for first.

In 2025, the Crew are a perfect 8-0 at Lower.com Field in this competition when leading or tied at the interval and have only been behind on two occasions at home in MLS this year, with both of those results ending in a draw.

They are unbeaten in their previous 10 domestic home games when netting multiple times and have not lost in Columbus when doing so since October of last year (3-2 versus Inter Miami).

Their previous three meetings against Orlando have all gone Columbus’ way, including an entertaining 4-3 triumph for the Crew in this exact fixture last season.

More often than not, we have seen the best version of Orlando City away from home in 2025, and that was the case again last week.

Their 2-1 win over the Revolution extended the Lions’ unbeaten run away from home to four league contests, while they have lost just one of their previous 11 regular-season affairs as the visitors.

The Lions have drawn first blood in each of their previous three games, but last Saturday was the first time this month that they walked away with maximum points.

Oscar Pareja’s side have given up just one goal in the opening half this month, while three of their last four goals scored were in the opening 45 minutes of play.

Following their victory last weekend, they find themselves in a comfortable playoff position, six points above the line and only three points below their state rivals, Inter Miami, for fifth.

Orlando City have only claimed one victory at Lower.com Field, collecting a 2-0 victory against the Crew on matchday eight of the 2022 domestic campaign.

Columbus Crew MLS form:

Orlando City MLS form:

Team News

Against DC last weekend, Columbus were missing Mohamed Farsi, who had a sore pelvis, Nicholas Hagen and Rudy Camacho sat out with thigh strains and Malte Amundsen was forced out with a knee injury.

Daniel Gazdag converted a 31st-minute penalty in their previous match, and Lassi Lappalainen scored 12 minutes before the 90th minute to give his side the victory.

On the Orlando side, a shoulder injury kept Duncan McGuire out of the fold once again, while Joran Gerbet missed another match with a thigh problem.

Martin Ojeda scored in the first and second half last Saturday, giving him 12 on the season, two more than Marco Pasalic for first on the team in 2025.

Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:

Schulte; Moreira, Zawadzki, Cheberko; Aliyu, Nagbe, Chambost, Lappalainen; Gazdag, Rossi; Russell-Rowe

Orlando City possible starting lineup:

Gallese; Freeman, Schlegel, Jansson, Brekalo; Araujo, Atuesta; Pasalic, Ojeda, Angulo; Muriel

We say: Columbus Crew 2-1 Orlando City

Columbus make it look effortless at home, and even though Orlando are a formidable road team, we trust the consistency of the hosts to emerge victorious on Friday.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.