New York City Fc vs Columbus Crew Picks and Predictions September 17th 2025

Columbus Crew Face Key Test Without Rossi

The Columbus Crew’s playoff push took a hit with the announcement that leading scorer Diego Rossi will miss two to four weeks due to a hamstring injury. Rossi, who has 16 goals this season, exited Saturday’s match against Atlanta United in the 42nd minute, just after completing a hat trick that gave Columbus a 5-0 lead. The Crew held on for a wild 5-4 win.

Columbus (13-6-10, 49 points) now turns its attention to New York City FC (14-9-5, 47 points) on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. Originally scheduled for Aug. 9 at Citi Field, the match was postponed due to poor field conditions. For bettors tracking playoff races, updated soccer odds and scores highlight the stakes for both sides.

New Contributors Emerging for the Crew

Despite losing Rossi, the Crew showed promising signs in attack. Daniel Gazdag, acquired in April from the Philadelphia Union, had his first multi-contribution game for Columbus with two assists. Meanwhile, Wessam Abou Ali, signed in July from Egyptian champion Al Ahly SC, scored his first MLS goal and added an assist in just his third appearance.

Coach Wilfried Nancy praised Abou Ali’s performance but stressed consistency. “I’m happy for him that he scored the goal, but after that, I hope that he’s going to score again because he can do it,” Nancy said.

With the postseason approaching, Columbus will need these new signings to continue producing. Bettors looking for guidance on how the Crew might adjust without Rossi can explore expert soccer betting guides for deeper analysis.

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NYCFC Building Momentum

New York City enters the matchup riding confidence after a 3-1 win over the Chicago Fire. Nicolas Fernandez Mercau and 17-year-old Seymour Reid each netted their first goals for the club, with Reid becoming the youngest scorer in NYCFC history.

The match also marked the MLS debut of defender Raul Gustavo, who recently arrived from Ferencvaros in Hungary. Coach Pascal Jansen was encouraged by the team’s cohesion following the international break. “It was a very tough place to play, but Raul kept himself at a very good standard. We’ve seen a great asset for our team,” Jansen said.

For more in-depth previews of upcoming fixtures, visit the soccer match previews section to track NYCFC’s form.

Playoff Race Intensifies

With both clubs sitting close in the Eastern Conference standings, this clash carries significant postseason implications. The Crew will attempt to adapt quickly without their top scorer, while NYCFC looks to build on the progress of its younger talents and new signings.

Fans and bettors can review the latest soccer picks for insights on how the match might unfold. Those interested in leveraging top-rated selections can also check out the buy picks marketplace and the best handicappers leaderboard for proven expert performance.