- Team form: Columbus Crew have won three of their last five games in all competitions.
- Home record: FC Dallas have only lost two of their 14 home MLS 2026 matches (W7, D5).
- Away goals: Columbus have scored 24 goals in 15 away MLS 2026 matches.
Tight game anticipated in Texas
FC Dallas are 6th in MLS 2026 on 51 points from 30 games and Columbus Crew are 19th with 38 points from 31 so the home side have the superior record and home advantage to go with it in what should be a competitive contest at Toyota Stadium on Thursday. Los Toros are in mixed form, going 2-2-1 across their last five matches in all competitions, but they have made Toyota Stadium a tough place to play in MLS 2026, losing only two of 14 matches on home turf (W7, D5).
The Crew come into this game in much better shape, however, having won three of their last five in all competitions – a 2-0 away win at FC Cincinnati, a 0-0 draw at home to Saint Louis City SC in the US Open Cup that was followed by a penalty shootout defeat and a 4-2 home win over Toronto FC.
Columbus can get among the goals
Tactical battle
The recent form of the two clubs suggests the Crew are in better shape and that will make this a tough contest for FC Dallas, who will look to keep the game tight and spring into action while Columbus will try to open up the game and try to make them pay for any mistakes in possession.
Eric Quill has done a good job of getting the best out of the players at his disposal by keeping them compact and disciplined with a pragmatic back-three formation that can change shape to protect space before hitting teams on the counterattack. Columbus, by contrast, play a possession-based game with their wingbacks leading the charge and Laurent Courtois's side overloads in numbers and looks for quick passes in behind.
Key players
Petar Musa, who has 18 goals in 23 MLS 2026 appearances, is the danger man that the hosts have. He has two of the team's last six goals in their previous five and Taha Habroune, who has scored three of the Crew's last seven goals in their past five, is the best bet for an anytime goal for the visitors.
Back BTTS rather than goals galore
A 1-1 draw is also worth a look, but we're giving the home team the edge as they have the better record and are at home where they have been in good shape this season. The Crew's away record of three wins, three draws and nine defeats looks poor and we don't see them having enough to win this one despite the form guide favouring them.
The last meeting between these two clubs in 2023 was 1-1 in Texas, which seems the way to go.
- The odds for this game make little sense as the hosts are 2.02, the Crew 3.2 and the draw 3.85, so we're not touching those with a bargepole.
- The over 2.5 goals at 1.5 also looks too short as the Crew are coming to Texas with a positive mentality, but both teams to score at 1.45 is also too low, although it is the sharper of the sides of the bet.
- We're going for both teams to find the net as Columbus have been able to get on the scoresheet on the road in MLS 2026, netting 24 times in 15 games.
