USMNT teammates face off as Crew, NYCFC return from World Cup break

Teammates become adversaries and opponents become teammates when New York City FC plays at the Columbus Crew on Wednesday in the resumption of their seasons following a nearly two-month World Cup break.

Goalkeeper Matt Freese of NYCFC (5-6-4, 19 points) and Crew midfielder Max Arfsten represented the United States in their run to the round of 16 with Freese playing four of five matches while Arfsten's only minutes were in the closing stages of the 4-1 loss to Belgium in the knockout round.

Arfsten said Monday that he didn't have any inside info on how to beat Freese noting, "He's been in MLS for a long time so I feel like everyone knows how he plays. There's really nothing I could say. Hopefully, we get some goals on him."

For his part, Freese has reunited with NYCFC teammates in defender Kai Trewin and midfielder Aiden O'Neill, members of the Australian side that the U.S. defeated 2-0 in the group stage.

Arfsten and Freese will again be teammates briefly when the MLS All-Stars face Mexico's Liga MX All-Stars on July 29 in Charlotte, N.C.

Joining them for the exhibition will be the Crew's other player in the World Cup, defender Steven Moreira. He was a starter who helped Cape Verde become the smallest nation to reach the knockout round before losing 3-2 to Argentina in extra time.

During the World Cup hiatus, New York City and the Crew (4-7-4, 16 points) revamped their rosters.

Midfielder James Sands returned to NYCFC on June 18 after a 1 1/2-season loan to German club FC St. Pauli and may be available on Wednesday.

Sands said Monday he enjoys playing for coach Pascal Jansen, who he did not previously know.

"He's demanding and he's going to make me a better player," he said. "As far as my role, he's let me settle in and figure things out over the first couple of weeks. I think he's put an emphasis on not overloading me with too much information right away."

Meanwhile, the Crew sold leading scorer Diego Rossi (six goals, two assists) to CF Monterrey of Liga MX on July 3.

They've added midfielder Brais Mendez of Real Sociedad from Spain's La Liga , midfielder Lautaro Giaccone from Argentinos Juniors of the Argentine Primera Division and former Manchester United and Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly.

All are awaiting their work visas.

- Field Level Media