D.C. and Columbus both eager to erase bad taste

A positive for both D.C. United and the host Columbus Crew on playing Wednesday is the chance for each to quickly erase the bad taste of losing last weekend.

For Eastern Conference leader D.C. United (4-2-2, 14 points), it's the opportunity to rebound after a 2-0 home defeat to previously winless New York City FC on Sunday.

"It's very disappointing," D.C. forward Wayne Rooney said afterward. "I think we need to get back to being hard to beat and being resilient. Quick turnaround on Wednesday, so hopefully we can be better. The good thing is we have a game on Wednesday."

Columbus (4-3-1, 13 points), tied for second with Toronto FC and Philadelphia Union, is in a foul mood as well after a 3-1 loss to Portland on Saturday ended a 9-0-2 streak at Mapfre Stadium since June.

Columbus has lost two straight.

"The medicine for a loss is a win," Crew coach Caleb Porter said. "I know that these guys are going to be hungry to do that in the next couple of days. I think you have to have a short-term memory in these types of windows.

"We can't let this result become a hangover into the next game and that's tough, because we're disappointed, obviously. We don't like losing ever. Certainly, we don't like losing at home."

D.C. is 2-0-1 on the road this season but 0-8-3 in Columbus since winning there in 2007.

"It hasn't been good from us for the last three home games (0-2-1) but we have to keep in mind that we got a win on the road last time and that's a positive thing," D.C. coach Ben Olsen said of a 3-2 win at Colorado on April 13.

The Crew and D.C. play for the first time since the 2018 conference knockout round when Columbus advanced 3-2 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes at Audi Field on Nov. 1.

--Field Level Media