Columbus Crew - Colorado Rapids

Columbus Crew are desperate to snap a worrying four-game losing streak as they prepare to host Colorado Rapids on 5 September 2026 for matchday 23 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The hosts face significant personnel challenges, with Rudy Camacho, Jamal Thiare, and Sekou Tidiany Bangoura all sidelined through injury. With Josef Martinez expected to lead the line, the Crew must find a way to tighten a defensive unit that has conceded multiple goals in each of their recent defeats, including a 3-1 loss to New England Revolution last time out.

In contrast, Colorado Rapids arrive with momentum, having secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake in their most recent outing. Their defensive resilience has been a hallmark of their recent form, keeping clean sheets in several of their last few matches. While the visitors look to build on that consistency, the Crew will look to their previous Major League Soccer meeting on 31 May 2023, where they edged a 3-2 thriller, for inspiration.