The Columbus Crew's ongoing difficulties in away matches continued during their recent encounter against D.C. United, where an initial half marred by defensive lapses ultimately led to a 2-1 defeat. This loss, despite a significant contribution from their newly acquired designated player, Santiago Rodríguez, underscores the team's persistent challenges on the road, placing their playoff hopes in the Eastern Conference under greater scrutiny with only a few games remaining.
Columbus Crew's Struggle on the Road Persists Against D.C. United
On September 9, 2026, at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., the Columbus Crew faced a familiar pattern of frustration, succumbing to a 2-1 loss against D.C. United. The match saw a sluggish first half from the Crew, which proved too deep a hole to climb out of, despite a spirited effort in the second period.
New designated player Santiago Rodríguez provided a crucial spark for the Crew, netting his second goal in as many games since his arrival from Brazil. His strike, delivered early in the second half following a pass from Josef Martinez, managed to beat D.C. United's goalkeeper, Sean Johnson, cutting the deficit to 2-1. This goal offered a glimpse of hope after a challenging opening half where D.C. United's forward, Tai Baribo, capitalized on defensive lapses to score two goals within 14 minutes, leaving Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte with little chance to intervene.
The Crew's coaching staff made strategic changes at halftime, introducing regular right-back Steven Moreira and designated midfielder Brais Mendez from the bench. However, these adjustments, while improving the team's cohesion, couldn't completely overturn the damage inflicted in the first half.
This defeat extends the Crew's dismal away record in MLS play to 1-8-3, including a winless streak of 0-5-2 in their last seven road games. Having recently broken a five-game losing streak with a 3-0 home victory against Colorado on September 5, the team had hoped to carry that momentum into their away fixture. With only 10 matches left in the season, evenly divided between home games at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field and away fixtures, the pressure is mounting for the Columbus Crew to reverse their fortunes and make a push for a playoff berth in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.
This latest defeat serves as a stark reminder of the Crew's ongoing struggle to secure victories on the road. For any team aiming for championship contention, consistency in away performances is paramount. The coming weeks will be critical for the Columbus Crew to demonstrate resilience, adapt their strategies, and find a way to translate their home form into away success if they wish to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.
