Orlando City vs. Columbus Crew (Round 3): How to Watch, TV Info, Live Stream, Lineups, Match Thread, and More

Welcome to your match thread for today’s match-up between Orlando City (10-13-9, 39 points) and the Columbus Crew (15-12-5, 35 points). This is the third of three scheduled meetings between the Eastern Conference rivals in 2017 and Orlando City’s final home match of Orlando City Stadium’s inaugural season. It’ll also be Kaká’s final MLS game with Orlando City, as the Brazilian is leaving the club after the season ends and he will reportedly not travel to Philadelphia next weekend.

History

The Lions are 1-3-3 in the all-time series, falling in the first meeting this season way back on April 1 by a 2-0 score. Orlando City suffered its first loss of the season that day. Justin Meram scored both goals for the Crew that day. The teams drew 1-1 in Orlando back on Aug. 19. Lalas Abubakar scored to put Columbus ahead in the 35th minute, but Giles Barnes equalized in the 67th.

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Orlando City is 2-3-3 in all competitions over the last two years, defeating the Crew in 2015 U.S. Open Cup play to go along with the MLS results. The Lions are 1-1-2 at home against the Crew in MLS play, 2-1-2 in all competitions.

The Lions were 0-1-1 against Columbus in 2016. The last meeting in Camping World Stadium was last Sept. 17, when the Crew beat down the Lions, 4-1. That was in the midst of a three-skid for Orlando City in which the Lions were outscored, 12-4, before ending the season on a 2-1-1 run. Ethan Finlay and Ola Kamara (twice) powered the Crew, who also got a Seb Hines own-goal, to more than offset Cyle Larin’s goal. That match gave Columbus an unbeaten 2016 against the Lions, as the teams drew 2-2 in Ohio on July 23. Tony Tchani and Kamara (penalty kick in the sixth minute of first-half stoppage) put the Crew up 2-0, Kevin Molino and Larin led Orlando back for interim coach Bobby Murphy.

Match Overview

Orlando City is 2-1-2 in its last five outings and 1-0-1 in its last two at home. The Lions are 7-4-5 at home this season. Columbus, meanwhile, is just 3-9-3 on the road, but the Crew are 5-0-3 in their last eight matches, climbing to fifth in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. Columbus could still move up even higher.

Cristian Higuita is out for Orlando City, while Will Johnson is eligible for selection after having his suspension lifted. Columbus lists Gaston Sauro (left PCL surgery) and Ben Swanson (right ankle surgery), and Alex Crognale (sports hernia surgery) as out, and Waylon Francis (left thigh strain) as questionable.

Here's your mandatory match content for today’s game:

• Gavin Ewbank has your match preview and prediction.
• Our Intelligence Report gives us more about Columbus with the help from Patrick Murphy of SB Nation’s Crew SC blog, Massive Report.
• This week's PawedCast includes our key match-ups and more predictions, plus an exclusive interview with Orlando Pride Head Coach Tom Sermanni.

Official Lineups:

Orlando City (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Joe Bendik.

Defenders: Donny Toia, Jonathan Spector, Seb Hines, Scott Sutter.

Midfielders: Yoshimar Yotun, Servando Carrasco, Giles Barnes, Antonio Nocerino.

Forwards: Dom Dwyer, Kaká.

Bench: Earl Edwards Jr., Tommy Redding, Richie Laryea, Carlos Rivas, Dillon Powers, Will Johnson, Hadji Barry.

Columbus Crew (4-4-1-1)

Goalkeeper: Zack Steffen.

Defenders:  Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, Josh Williams, Hector Jimenez.

Defensive Midfielders: Artur, Wil Trapp.

Attacking Midfielders: Justin Meram, Federico Higuain., Pedro Santos.

Forward: Ola Kamara.

Bench: Brad Stuver, Jukka Raitala, Lalas Abubakar, Mohammed Abu, Kekuta Manneh, Niko Hansen, Adam Jahn.

Referees

Ref: Chris Penso.

AR1: Jeff Muschik.

AR2: CJ Morgante.

4th: Robert Sibiga.

VAR: Kevin Terry Jr.

How to Watch

Match Time: 5 p.m. (ET).

Venue: Orlando City Stadium — Orlando, FL.

TV: WRDQ TV 27 (local only).

Radio: 104.1 FM Real Radio (English), La Nueva 990 (Spanish).

Streaming:  MLS Live.

Twitter: For rapid reaction and live updates, follow along at @TheManeLand, as well as Orlando City's official Twitter feed (@OrlandoCitySC).

Match Thread Rules

This is your live thread for posting comments on the match. So use our comments section below to talk about the game in real time with other supporters. If you're new, welcome to our happy home! While you're here, please observe a few basic rules:

• Absolutely no links to illegal streams. They can get us in trouble, and no one wants that.
• Try not to be "that guy" who spews nothing but venom and hate for the team. It's ok to be critical, and, let's face it, sometimes even the best teams can be frustrating to watch, but being overly negative relentlessly can sap the enjoyment for others.
• Keep it somewhat clean and fair when criticizing players / officials. You never know who might be reading.
• Do unto others in the match thread, the way you would have others do unto you. We are a fun community and want to keep it this way. We have a moderator, but we'd rather let him enjoy the game instead of having to play babysitter.

Enjoy the game!