Fresh off of bowing out of the U.S. Open Cup, Head Coach James O’Connor takes his Orlando City side up to central Ohio for the team’s first shot at the Columbus Crew in 2018. While O’Connor is looking to build on the momentum after the Lions’ first MLS victory since May 6, Gregg Berhalter is looking to right the ship for the Crew. Columbus has just one victory in its last eight tries and has slowly slipped down the Eastern Conference table.
It could be an emotional match for multiple reasons. Former Crew winger Justin Meram could potentially make his return to Mapfre Stadium, though the Iraqi international has mysteriously been absent from O’Connor’s last two team sheets and didn’t travel to Philadelphia with the team.