Big news today as reports have Giancarlo Gonzalez getting transferred away from the Columbus Crew, effective immediately. More on that to come but for now, Houston is in town tonight. Kickoff is 7:30 PM EST.
GAME NOTES
CLB: Gonzalez being out will have impact
CLB: 8 pts, +2 goal diff in last 6 games at home
CLB: Arrieta will probably start up top
HOU: 0 pts, -15 goal diff in last 6 away games
HOU: USMNT star Beasley likely to start tonight
HOU: Home form returning but still not a very good team
GAME PREDICTIONS
Percentage on the left is accuracy picking (WDL) 2014 Columbus Crew matches.
50% COLUMBUS DISPATCH ... COLUMBUS CREW
Adam Jardy writes that "anything less than a win will be a disappointment for the Crew."
50% WHOSCORED.COM ... DRAW
"Houston Dynamo are finally showing some signs of recovery, having won two of their last three MLS games," says Graham Ruthven. See's this one as a 1-1 draw.
42% MLSSOCCER ... COLUMBUS CREW
We've got the Crew in a landslide this week. 5 for a Crew victory, 1 draw.
42% WIN DRAW WIN ... COLUMBUS CREW
Largest margin in favor of the Crew thus far this season, 68% going their way. Houston only getting 8%. Wonder if this changes with Giancarlo news.
38% GOAL.COM ... COLUMBUS CREW
No preview (as per standard for the site now) and only one vote in the readers section, it's for the Crew to win 1-0.
33% BET365 ... COLUMBUS CREW
Even 1/1 odds today for the home side (5/2 draw, 13/5 away).
33% HOME TEAM ... COLUMBUS CREW
25% TABLE POSITION ... COLUMBUS CREW
--% WV HOOLIGAN ... (no pick)
--% MASSIVE REPORT ... (no pick)
Stay tuned to MR for the latest in Crew news on Gonzalez.
GAME THOUGHTS
Going to be a calmer, more business as usual feel to the match tonight after the big show last week against the LA Galaxy. Houston never really draws many fans but crowds have been better this season.
No doubt that the Crew should be favored in this one but it's certainly not as much as the predictions above indicate. Houston likes to lurk in the standings and look to be game for a late season push. After going a couple months with pretty much no points, over the last three weeks they have beat DC and beat Philly.
Questions for the match today revolve around Giancarlo (looking like he is in Italy), Ethan Finlay (can he keep up this ridiculous form) and whomever plays up top (need a goal from a forward today).
So this one will be closer but the Crew should still be the ones with 3 points when it ends.
Looks to be on the warm side tonight, possibly damp as well.
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