The Columbus Crew will host Atlanta United on Saturday night at Lower.com Field, but most of the stars will be missing for this match. Due to the international window, Columbus will be without goalkeeper Eloy Room, midfielder Lucas Zelarayan and center back Milos Degenek.
Atlanta too will be depleted with call-ups. The Five Stripes are without a staggering seven players, notably early MLS MVP candidate Thiago Almada and forward Giorgos Giakoumakis, both Designated Players for United. Former Crew winger Derrick Etienne Jr. is also out for international duty with Haiti, while another former Black & Gold player, forward Miguel Berry, could start for Atlanta.