Columbus Crew vs Orlando City Picks and Predictions July 25th 2025

Orlando City SC Aim to Keep Momentum Rolling Against Columbus Crew

Orlando City SC will try to build on a much-needed victory as they visit the Columbus Crew on Friday night in a pivotal Eastern Conference showdown with playoff implications.

Looking to bet this high-stakes MLS clash? Get the latest MLS expert picks before kickoff.

Orlando City Back on Track

The Lions (10-6-8, 38 points) snapped a four-match winless skid last weekend with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over New England, a result they believe can spark a late-season push.

Defender Zakaria Taifi said Monday that the team knows it must raise its standards for the stretch run.

“The last few games we haven’t been to our standard,” Taifi said. “We know that, so we just want to get back on track because we’re one of the best teams in the league. We have the best roster. After that win, only up from here, hopefully.”

Orlando currently sits sixth in the Eastern Conference, six points behind the Crew for a top-four finish and potential home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. But with Inter Miami also ahead of them and holding games in hand, the Lions know points are crucial.

They’ll rely heavily on one of MLS’ most dangerous attacking duos in Martin Ojeda (12 goals, 9 assists) and Marco Pasalic (10 goals, 4 assists) to unlock Columbus’ defense.

Looking for an edge on Orlando’s attack? See our MLS Picks and Predictions for key trends.

Crew Looking to Extend Strong Form

The Crew (12-4-8, 44 points) are coming off their own bounce-back win, defeating D.C. United 2-1 after a 3-0 loss at Nashville SC. Columbus is now 4-1-1 in its past six matches, holding firm in the top four of the East.

Midfielder Daniel Gazdag finally broke through with his first goal in 16 matches since joining the Crew, converting a penalty against D.C. United.

“There are always times when you struggle with goals,” Gazdag admitted. “But obviously it was bad that it happened when I joined the new team, so I wanted to score as soon as possible.”

With the pressure off, Gazdag could be poised for a scoring surge to complement the Crew’s potent attack.

Orlando knows the challenge Columbus presents, especially at home.

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“We know they’re very good,” Taifi said. “They have good individuals, but so do we, so it’s going to be a great game.”

Can Orlando carry its momentum on the road, or will Columbus tighten its grip on home-field advantage? Get the best betting angles with our free MLS betting guide.

With playoff positioning on the line, this feels like a six-point match that could shape the Eastern Conference race. Find updated projections and best bets with our latest MLS Predictions and Picks.