New York City vs Columbus Crew have a fairly close recent history. Columbus have often had success in head-to-head matchups, and the latest previews suggest they’ve won around 11 of their last 26 matches versus NYCFC, while New York City has about 8 wins in that stretch.
NYCFC’s home performances have been strong lately, particularly at Yankee Stadium: decent winning percentage and solid attacking output. Meanwhile, the Columbus Crew are doing well in the league overall – scoring goals fairly regularly but showing defensive frailties when away from home.
Columbus Crew enters carrying the weight of expectations as 2024 MLS Cup champions and Leagues Cup winners. However, their title defense has been inconsistent, with a form that has raised questions about their ability to repeat last year’s success.
2025 MLS Match Preview: New York City vs Columbus Crew Prediction and Lineups
Table of Contents
| Date | Teams | Match | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, September 17, 2025 19:30 EDT | Inter Miami vs Cincinnati | Major League Soccer (MLS) 2025 Regular Season | Yankee Stadium, New York, New York |
- Standings:
- New York City – 8th
- Columbus Crew – 6th
Columbus Crew enters carrying the weight of expectations as 2024 MLS Cup champions and Leagues Cup winners. However, their title defense has been inconsistent, with a form that has raised questions about their ability to repeat last year’s success.
The Crew were shockingly eliminated in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs by the New York Red Bulls, ending their title defense prematurely. This early exit has added pressure to their 2025 campaign despite maintaining a playoff position.
Alonso Martínez’s Scoring Form
NYCFC’s attacking threat centers around Alonso Martínez, who has emerged as one of MLS’s most prolific scorers. The Costa Rican forward has netted 14 league goals in 2025, bringing his total to 30 goals in just 3,497 minutes of MLS action – an impressive rate of 0.77 goals per 90 minutes.
Martínez has climbed to 3rd on NYCFC’s all-time goal-scoring list, surpassing club legend Maxi Moralez and trailing only David Villa (77 goals) and Taty Castellanos (50 goals). His recent form includes the go-ahead goal in NYCFC’s 3-1 victory over Chicago Fire.
New York City vs Columbus Crew Head-to-Head Record
The Columbus Crew hold a slight edge in their rivalry with NYCFC, winning 11 of their 28 matchups, while NYCFC has claimed 9 victories and 8 games have ended in draws. Columbus has also outscored NYCFC 15-9 in total.
However, recent form suggests a more even contest, with NYCFC winning 3 of the last 5 encounters against the Crew. At Yankee Stadium specifically, NYCFC has shown strong home form with a 69% win rate.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 28 |
| NY City wins | 9 |
| Columbus Crew wins | 11 |
| Draws | 8 |
| Goals by NYCFC | 48 |
| Goals by Columbus Crew | 45 |
Recent Form Analysis
NYCFC have found its rhythm at the crucial stage, winning 4 of its last 5 MLS matches. Recent victories include impressive performances against FC Cincinnati (1-0), Nashville SC (2-1), and Chicago Fire (3-1).
Columbus has struggled for consistency, managing just 5 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses in their recent 14-match stretch. Their away form has been concerning, conceding 1.07 goals per game on average in away fixtures.
Key Players & Prediction
For NYCFC, players like Adrian Alonso Martínez Batista, one of the top scorers, will be crucial. Equally important will be maintaining midfield balance and ensuring their defense can handle pressure effectively.
For the Columbus Crew, players like Diego Rossi, Jacen Russell-Rowe, and Darlington Nagbe are expected to be key contributors. While their attacking potential is strong, they need to improve their defensive solidity, particularly in away games.
- Alonso Martínez (NYCFC): 14 league goals and clinical finishing ability
- Cucho Hernández (Columbus): Primary goal threat with pace and creativity
- James Sands vs Darlington Nagbe: Midfield control battle could prove decisive
- Santiago Rodríguez (NYCFC): Creative spark from wide positions
New York City vs Columbus Crew Predicted XI
| Team | Formation | Players |
|---|---|---|
| NYCFC | 4-2-3-1 | Freese; Gray, Tanasijevic, Risa, Ilenic; Sands, Parks; Fernández, Moralez, Wolf; Martínez |
| Columbus Crew | 4-4-2 | Schulte; Moreira, Camacho, Cheberko, Herrera; Gazdag, Chambost, Nagbe, Arfsten; Rossi, Abou Ali |
Match Prediction
Given NYCFC’s home advantage and more stable recent form, they’ll likely just edge this one. Expect a close match — a 1-1 draw or a 2-1 win for NYCFC seems plausible.
- Predicted Result: New York City vs Columbus Crew – 1-1 draw or 2-1
Streaming/TV:
The match will be available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+. It might not be on major linear TV networks, depending on your region.
Kickoff Time:
Typically, these games kick off in the evening ET for the US (look for times around 7:30 p.m. ET for many MLS fixtures) — check your local listings or MLS app.
Ticket
For NYCFC home games, tickets are usually available through the official club website or verified resale platforms. If the game is at Yankee Stadium or a venue with limited seating, it’s best to purchase tickets early.
