Crew look to avoid slow start vs. D.C. United

Change is not only good but necessary for the Columbus Crew starting Saturday at home against flailing D.C. United.

In the last two magtches. the Crew (11-4-8, 41 points) allowed a goal to FC Cincinnati in the opening 42 seconds and trailed 2-0 after five minutes before rallying for a 4-2 win, then conceded 65 seconds into 3-0 loss at Nashville SC on Wednesday.

Columbus has yielded 11 goals in the first 15 minutes and allowed the first score 12 times, posting a 4-4-4 mark.

"It's always difficult when we concede early in the game, because then we're just chasing the game and it leaves us exposed, and then stuff like that kind of leads to the second goal and so on," Crew defender Max Arfsten said. "We have to be better and just look at ourselves in the mirror and do our best to flip the script on Saturday."

D.C. United (4-12-7, 19 points) have lost two straight under interim coach Kevin Flanagan, who replaced the fired Troy Lesesne on July 9. They are winless in six matches (0-5-1) while being blanked three times and scoring once in each of the other three.

"It's frustrating for everyone at the club," Flanagan said. "When you're in a moment like we're in now, you have to do everything right to get out of it."

It hasn't helped that leading scorer Christian Benteke (six goals) did not play in the 2-1 loss at Charlotte FC on Wednesday due to a leg injury. His status for Saturday is unknown.

Gabriel Pirani picked up the slack with goals in three straight matches, including the U.S. Open Cup.

The Crew are waiting for midfielder Daniel Gazdag to get untracked. Philadelphia's career goal leader has not scored in 15 matches since being acquired from the Union in April.

He's happy for the quick turnaround after the Nashville disappointment.

"It's good that we have a game in two, three days so we can fix everything," he said. "We will do everything to make our fans happy at home and take all the three points."

--Field Level Media