Columbus Crew vs Colorado Rapids preview: next match details
The next Columbus Crew match in the Major League Soccer 2026 season sees them host Colorado Rapids at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus. The fixture is scheduled for 2026-09-05T23:30:00Z, with the status currently listed as Not Started. This Columbus Crew vs Colorado Rapids preview looks at kick-off time, venue, standings, form, head to head and a data-led prediction.
When Columbus Crew play next, they will be trying to halt a difficult run of results in the Eastern Conference, while Colorado Rapids arrive from the Western Conference in a much stronger position and chasing the upper end of the table. With both sides still in the thick of the Regular Season - 23 schedule, points here could be crucial for Columbus’ recovery and for Colorado’s push to consolidate a play-off spot.
Match details: date, kick-off & venue
- Competition: Major League Soccer, Regular Season - 23
- Date / Kick-off: 2026-09-05T23:30:00Z
- Venue: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus
- Status: Not Started (Fixture has not started yet)
Standings & form
Columbus Crew come into this home game sitting 15th in the Eastern Conference with 20 points from 22 matches. Their overall record stands at 5 wins, 5 draws and 12 defeats, with 31 goals scored and 39 conceded for a goal difference of -8. At ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus have been stronger than on the road, taking 4 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses from 11 home games, scoring and conceding 14 goals each. Away from home they have struggled, with just 1 win, 3 draws and 7 defeats, scoring 17 and conceding 25. Their recent league form is poor, reflected in a five-game sequence of LLLLD.
Colorado Rapids travel as a Western Conference side in far better shape. They are currently 7th in the Western Conference with 31 points from 22 matches, having recorded 10 wins, 1 draw and 11 losses. They have scored 31 goals and conceded 28, giving them a positive goal difference of +3. Their home form has been impressive, with 8 wins and 3 losses from 11 matches (21 goals for, 9 against), but their away record shows vulnerability: just 2 wins, 1 draw and 8 defeats on the road, with 10 goals scored and 19 conceded. Recent form is encouraging, though, with a five-game run of WLWWW, suggesting they arrive in Columbus with momentum despite their away struggles.
Looking deeper into team statistics, Columbus Crew have managed 3 clean sheets this season, all of them at home, and have failed to score in only 3 of their 22 league fixtures. They have been awarded 4 penalties, converting 3 of them. Colorado Rapids, meanwhile, boast 8 clean sheets overall (6 at home, 2 away) but have failed to score in 6 matches, highlighting some inconsistency in attack, particularly away. They have had 3 penalties, scoring 2. Both sides also show notable yellow-card counts across the season, with Colorado picking up a spread of cautions especially between minutes 61–90, and Columbus showing a concentration of bookings between 46–75 minutes.
Head-to-head
- 2026-02-07T16:00:00Z: Colorado Rapids 1–4 Columbus Crew (Friendlies Clubs)
- 2023-05-31T23:30:00Z: Columbus Crew 3–2 Colorado Rapids (Major League Soccer)
- 2022-08-14T01:00:00Z: Colorado Rapids 1–1 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
- 2019-05-26T01:00:00Z: Colorado Rapids 3–2 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
- 2018-09-22T23:30:00Z: Columbus Crew 2–1 Colorado Rapids (Major League Soccer)
- 2017-06-04T01:00:00Z: Colorado Rapids 2–1 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
- 2016-05-14T23:30:00Z: Columbus Crew 1–1 Colorado Rapids (Major League Soccer)
- 2015-08-09T01:00:00Z: Colorado Rapids 1–2 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
- 2014-07-05T01:30:00Z: Colorado Rapids 1–1 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
- 2013-05-11T23:30:00Z: Columbus Crew 0–2 Colorado Rapids (Major League Soccer)
The head-to-head record between these sides is balanced over the ten listed meetings, with both teams enjoying wins home and away. Recent clashes have tended to be tight and high scoring, including Columbus Crew’s 3–2 home victory in MLS in 2023 and their emphatic 4–1 away win in the 2026 club friendly. Draws have also featured regularly, particularly in matches played at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, underlining how competitive this fixture has been over the years.
Team news & absences
Columbus Crew have several confirmed absentees for this match. W. Abou Ali (Knee Injury), S. Bangoura (Ankle Injury) and R. Camacho (Foot Injury) are all listed as Missing Fixture. In addition, J. Thiare is marked as Questionable with a leg injury, so his involvement remains uncertain.
Colorado Rapids also face significant team news issues. M. Diop (Knee Injury), T. Ku-DiPietro (Shoulder Injury), H. Ojediran (Yellow Cards suspension) and goalkeeper Z. Steffen (Shoulder Injury) are all ruled out as Missing Fixture. Furthermore, K. Stewart-Baynes (Leg Injury) and J. Travis (Ankle Injury) are both listed as Questionable, adding to the visitors’ selection concerns.
Key players to watch
- Rafael Navarro (Colorado Rapids) — 10 goals, 3 assists in the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
Prediction
The data-driven model for this Columbus Crew vs Colorado Rapids prediction leans towards the hosts avoiding defeat. The prediction advice is a “Double chance : Columbus Crew or draw”, with implied outcome percentages of 45% home win, 45% draw and just 10% away win. Despite Colorado’s higher conference position and better recent form, their poor away record and notable injury list, combined with Columbus’ relative solidity at home, suggest the Crew are well placed to take at least a point from this encounter.
