Courtois: Columbus out for redemption after ending losing streak

Laurent Courtois insisted the Columbus Crew are still wanting to redeem themselves after ending their five-game losing stretch in all competitions last time out.

Columbus earned a much-needed three points last weekend, with the Crew putting the Colorado Rapids to the sword with a 3-0 victory at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

Santiago Rodriguez put Columbus into a 22nd-minute lead before late goals from Gonzalo Tapia and Taha Habroune rubber-stamped their first league win since July 25.

The Crew's victory moved them up to 13th in the Eastern Conference and within four points of the playoffs after 23 games of their campaign.

Columbus travel to Audi Field to take on D.C. United next, and Courtois wants his team's redemption arc to continue in their quest to reach the postseason. 

"We wanted to kind of redeem ourselves not for the losses but just the way we performed," interim boss Courtois said.

"Whether it was physical or technical, they showed who they are, and it feels good. We gave them two days off because the last month has been insane.

"Think about the flights, the jet lags, the competitions, the ones that I had to push a little bit harder, the new ones that need to learn pretty fast and the emotional fatigue of losing a few guys that you had in your locker room for years.

"It's been draining. We focused on recovery. We didn't train because of the storms. We only did a rondo, and we had a big video meeting, but we were only able to do a rondo. We only trained [Wednesday and] Thursday, and [Thursday] was 25 minutes."

D.C., meanwhile, saw their match away to FC Cincinnati postponed because of inclement weather, with the match eventually called off after an almost three-hour lightning delay.

This was to be the first of two matches between the clubs this season. They are also scheduled to play on October 24, with the date for the rearranged fixture yet to be announced.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Tai Baribo

No player has scored more goals for D.C. in the MLS this season than Baribo (11), and he will be hoping to add to his tally against Columbus.

However, he has only managed one goal and one assist in his three matches against the Crew in the MLS throughout his career.

Columbus Crew – Gonzalo Tapia

Tapia joined Columbus on loan from Sao Paulo at the start of August, and he has gone about making an instant impact for his new team.

He registered a goal and an assist despite coming on in the 75th minute against Colorado, while also creating one chance and firing off the second-most shots (three) for his team.

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN

With their win over the Rapids, Columbus won their 400th MLS regular-season match, becoming the second club to reach that mark, joining the Los Angeles Galaxy.

And they have often had the better of this fixture. Columbus are unbeaten in their last nine matches against D.C. (W6 D3) since a 4-2 defeat in August 2021 at home.

D.C. are out for a much-needed win. They are without a league victory in their last five matches (D3 L2), and since returning from the World Cup break, they have only won once.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 33.6%

Draw – 25.6%

Columbus Crew – 40.8%