Though the Columbus Crew have drawn three of their five MLS matches this season, coach Wilfried Nancy is feeling upbeat about their prospects ahead of facing D.C. United.

The Crew – who won the MLS Cup in 2023 but lost in the first round of the 2024 playoffs – have nine points from their first five games of 2025.

They were frustrated in a goalless draw with New York City last time out but are one of just two unbeaten teams remaining in the entire league – along with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's visit to D.C., Nancy said he was looking at more than just results, and he is content with the way his team have developed their style this year.

"We have been consistent from the start. As you just said, the season is young," Nancy told reporters.

"What we are doing now is interesting – the way we have this competitive spirit, the desire to compete. 

"We have this desire to be nice with the ball but ugly without the ball, that is something that I was looking for and they do it well.

"Of course, we could have more wins, but this is the reality of our results at the moment, and I'm pleased with our beginning, with our play."

D.C. were also unbeaten until last week, when they slumped to a demoralising 4-1 defeat at Orlando City. With one win, three draws and one loss, they sit 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Asked about D.C.'s performance in Florida, Lesesne took accountability for their lack of defensive organisation and demanded a response next time out.

"I'll start with myself, I don't think we were set up well enough, or were organised enough, to prevent a lot of the spaces Orlando were able to find," Lesesne reflected.

"It's just not good enough. I want the players to hear that, and I'm not taking responsibility away from them either. I want the players to come back in and be ready to fight, to be ready for Columbus."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Benteke scored three goals over his two meetings with Columbus last season, including netting twice when they faced off at Audi Field in September. 

He was one of only two players, along with Charlotte FC's Patrick Agyemang, to score in both of his team's meetings with the Crew in the 2024 regular season.

Columbus Crew – Dylan Chambost

Andres Herrera, Aziel Jackson (six each) and Diego Rossi (five) each attempted five or more shots for the Crew last week, the first time in nearly a decade that three Crew players took at least five shots in a single match (since facing the Seattle Sounders in May 2015).

Chambost created four chances in that match, more than any other player. He will hope for some better finishing from his team-mates next time out.

MATCH PREDICTION – COLUMBUS CREW

Columbus are unbeaten in seven straight games against D.C. (W4 D3), though both meetings in 2024 ended in draws. 

This is the Crew's longest ever unbeaten run over D.C. in 92 all-time meetings across all competitions.

D.C. United have won only one of their last eight home matches in all competitions dating back to last August (D4 L3), though they have also lost just one of the last six (W1 D4).

Columbus are favourites at Audi Field, though they will have to improve on their dismal finishing against NYCFC.

That scoreless draw was the third time the Crew have failed to score in seven matches across all competitions this season. Columbus were shut out only three times in their final 28 matches in all competitions in 2024. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

D.C. United – 22.9%

Columbus Crew – 54.7%

Draw – 22.4%