New York City FC brings tough defense into matchup with Columbus
New York City FC (8-7-3, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Columbus Crew SC (9-4-4, third in the Eastern Conference)
Columbus, Ohio; Sunday, 6 p.m. EDT
BOTTOM LINE: New York City FC plays Columbus on a defensive hot streak after conceding only eight goals over the past 10 games.
The Crew are 8-4-2 against Eastern Conference opponents. Gyasi Zardes paces the tenth-ranked scoring team in the MLS with eight goals. Columbus has scored 28 goals.
New York City FC is 9-7-3 against Eastern Conference teams. New York City FC is 4-6-0 in one-goal games.
The teams meet Sunday for the third time this season. New York City FC won the last meeting 1-0.
TOP PERFORMERS: Pedro Santos has five goals and six assists for Columbus. Zardes has six goals over the past 10 games for the Crew.
Alexander Ring has three goals and four assists for New York City FC. Anton Tinnerholm has three goals and two assists over the last 10 games for New York City FC.
LAST 10 GAMES: Columbus: 4-3-3, averaging 1.5 goals, one assist, 3.6 shots on goal and 5.8 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.2 goals per game.
New York City FC: 5-2-3, averaging 1.7 goals, 1.1 assists, 6.1 shots on goal and seven corner kicks per game while allowing 0.8 goals per game.
NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY: Columbus: Vito Wormgoor (injured), Darlington Nagbe (injured), Lucas Zelarrayan (injured), Waylon Francis (injured).
New York City FC: Heber (injured), Maxi Moralez (injured), Gedion Zelalem (injured), Tayvon Gray (injured).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.