Rochester returns to the place of its greatest glory Historic Crew Stadium this Sunday, May 29th. Then known as the Columbus Crew Stadium, the site of Rochester's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup victory in 1999. Now Rochester returns to face conference top-dog Columbus Crew 2 in a battle of the two of the hottest teams in the league. Rochester comes in winners of their last three league matches, while Crew 2 is on a seven-game win streak, with their only loss coming back in March to Inter Miami II. Rochester still sits just three points out of the final playoff spot, while Crew 2 tops the Eastern Conference, with a three-point advantage over second-placed New England Revolution II.
Players to Watch:
Columbus Crew 2's Player to Watch: Striker: Jacen Russell-Rowe
Jacen Russell-Rowe comes in with six goals, which is tied for the league-high. Russell-Rowe has scored in six consecutive games, and has only not scored in two games this year (both of which he played less than a half). Russell-Rowe leads one of the most prolific offenses in the league, playing as the sole striker with a winger on each side. If Rochester can stop Russell-Rowe they stand a good chance of walking away with three points.
Rochester New York FC Player to Watch: Goal Keeper: Caíque
Fresh of his Man of the Match performance against Philadelphia Union II, Caíque faces another challenging match. Caíque comes into the match tied for the 5-th most saves in the league with 19, having started all seven league matches for Rochester. His excellence in penalty shoot-out also may come in handy, as Rochester seeks to take points away from the stringiest defense in the league, only allowing five goals all year. Thus, Rochester's best bet may be forcing a penalty shoot-out, where they would have the experience advantage over Crew 2.
Prediction: Rochester NY FC: 1, Columbus Crew 2: 1, (PKs 5-3 Rochester Win)
Rochester comes into this game light on the right side of their defense, with Milan Vanacker out for the year with a torn ACL, and Jacob Akanyirige suspended do to a second yellow card in the previous match. As such, Bruno Baltazar might have to switch back to a back four for this match, despite a 3-4-3 working so well the past few matches. Crew 2 is also the best defensive team in the league and is undefeated at home. Taking two points off the hottest team in the league on the road would be a huge feat for Rochester's playoff aspirations. Even if Rochester leaves Columbus with only a point, that should be seen as a positive for the short-handed team.
Projected Line Up
4-2-3-1
Prior to arriving in Rochester, Baltazar favored the 4-2-3-1 formation. Rochester has lined up in this formation twice this year and could do so again without an available right-back or second striker due to Will Inalien's undisclosed injury. For left-back, either Christian Wood or Ian Garrett could get the start, with the RCB and RB positions being interchangeable as well. It is also possible that a 4-4-2 will be used, although Rochester has fared much better with just a single striker this year.
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