8 – The Crew are one of eight teams still in competition this year – and one of six MLS teams left. In the Round of 32, Columbus beat Sporting Kansas City 4-0 last Friday night. On Tuesday, the reigning MLS Cup winners defeated the defending Leagues Cup champions 3-2, scoring three unanswered goals in the second half. The Crew will host games as long as they are in the tournament, which is a huge opportunity. In two games, we’ve seen new additions integrate into the team while other players have earned minutes outside of league play. It will be interesting to see how head coach Wilfried Nancy coaches this must-win game against a familiar opponent.

10a – Way to go, Diego! Diego Rossi has scored four goals in the Crew’s first two Leagues Cup games. He scored a brace in the win over SKC and then again against Miami in the Round of 16. The Uruguayan has nine goals and five assists in his last nine appearances in all competitions. If you include his assist to Cucho Hernandez in the MLS All-Star Game, that’s six assists. Rossi has been phenomenal this summer and is pulling the strings for the Black & Gold. Let’s hope that continues this weekend.

5 – NYCFC is no lightweight. The Pigeons are fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference with 38 points from 25 games – an average of 1.52 points per game. As for the club’s Leagues Cup campaign, however, consistent performance has been a bit mixed. The team’s group matches ended with a scoreless draw with Queretaro (NYCFC won on penalties) and a 4-2 loss to FC Cincinnati. Then came another draw – and another penalty shootout win – against the New England Revolution. But NYCFC won its last game 2-1 against Tigres UANL, a club the crew knows well from the Concacaf Champions Cup. NYCFC is a much better team at home than away, and the Black & Gold are strong in Ohio’s capital – both things that benefit Columbus.

10b – Santiago Rodriguez is one to keep an eye on in New York. Rodriguez is also the Uruguayan No. 10 and has eight goals and eight assists in 24 league games this season. The last time these teams met two months ago, he had both a goal and an assist. As for his contributions in the Leagues Cup, he has scored in three straight games. He is not to be taken lightly.

The Columbus Crew won 3-2 in a dramatic game at Yankee Stadium on June 14. Christian Ramirez, Mohamed Farsi and Cucho scored the goals for the Black & Gold in a game that had 15 minutes of stoppage time in the second half. Columbus and New York played out a 1-1 tie the last time they met at Lower.com Field on July 8, 2023.

WHO: Columbus Crew hosts New York City FC

When: Saturday, August 17, 6 p.m.

How to listen: La Grande 102.5 FM | Alt 105.7 FM | iHeart Radio app