Columbus Crew’s coach Wilfried Nancy challenges striker Wessam Abou Ali to increase his goal tally after his first MLS goal. Ahead of their match against NYCFC, Nancy emphasizes the need for Abou Ali to step up, especially with Diego Rossi’s injury. The match prediction leans towards a draw.
Columbus Crew's head coach, Wilfried Nancy, has issued a challenge to striker Wessam Abou Ali, urging him to increase his goal-scoring contributions in Major League Soccer (MLS). This call to action comes after Abou Ali netted his inaugural goal in the league during the Crew's exhilarating 5-4 victory over Atlanta United, a match where they initially held a commanding 5-0 lead within the first 40 minutes.
Abou Ali, aged 26, made his way to Columbus at the end of June, transferring from Egyptian club Al Ahly. However, his debut for the Crew was delayed until August 23, when he appeared as a substitute against the New England Revolution. Now, with a crucial match against New York City FC (NYCFC) on the horizon, Abou Ali's performance could prove pivotal as the Crew seeks to solidify their playoff position.
Currently, the Crew occupies the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference standings with 49 points, holding a narrow two-point advantage over seventh-place NYCFC, who also have a game in hand. Nancy's reliance on Abou Ali may intensify, especially considering that Diego Rossi, who delivered a hat-trick against Atlanta, was forced off the field due to an injury before halftime.
Nancy expressed his satisfaction with Abou Ali's recent goal but emphasized his expectations for more. "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 stated. "You know me, I’m not a guy that’s trying to make assumptions. The reality is if he scores, he scores." He also provided an assessment of Abou Ali's previous performance, noting, "He did a good game because the last game, it was average, I would say; it was good stuff, but not enough. First game as a starter, it is very normal. This time, he was good defensively and also offensively. Good for him."
While Columbus managed to secure a win against Atlanta, Nancy likely wasn't pleased with his team's defensive lapse, which allowed Atlanta to mount a comeback. Atlanta concluded the match with an impressive 3.78 expected goals (xG). In contrast, the Crew demonstrated remarkable efficiency in front of goal, directing all seven of their shots on target.
Adding context to Abou Ali's impact beyond the field, a tweet from The Crew highlighted a special moment where he connected with a Palestinian fan in Atlanta, showcasing his engagement with the community.
Creating special moments on and off the pitch
Wessam Abou Ali made a Palestinian fan’s day in Atlanta pic.twitter.com/pXi79RSXIn
— The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) September 16, 2025
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New York City FC – Alonso Martinez
Alonso Martinez has been in sensational form, scoring seven goals in his last seven matches, including a goal against Chicago in their recent game. With 15 goals this season, he's following up on his previous tally of 16 goals last year. Martinez is now among the elite players in NYCFC history, joining David Villa as the only two players to achieve multiple 15-goal seasons.
Columbus Crew – Wessam Abou Ali
Given the uncertainty surrounding Rossi's availability, Abou Ali has a golden opportunity to showcase his abilities against NYCFC. Prior to joining Columbus, Abou Ali made a significant impact for Al Ahly, contributing 35 direct goal involvements (28 goals, seven assists) in as many league games. He also demonstrated his talent on the global stage by scoring a hat-trick against Porto in the Club World Cup.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Columbus will approach this match with confidence, having avoided defeat in their last seven encounters against NYCFC in all competitions, securing three wins and four draws. This unbeaten run is tied for their longest against any opponent in NYCFC history across all competitions.
However, the Crew's defensive vulnerabilities were evident in their match against Atlanta. They made history as the first team in MLS to score five goals in the first half of an away match. Simultaneously, they became the first team in MLS history to lead by five or more goals and win by a margin of fewer than three goals.
NYCFC's recent home form has been characterized by decisive results, with none of their last 20 home matches in all competitions ending in draws (13 wins, 7 losses). Their last draw at home was a 2-1 defeat to D.C. United on August 30. Furthermore, NYCFC have not suffered consecutive home defeats in over two years, since losses to Philadelphia and Cincinnati in May 2023.
Both teams enter this match in similar form, having won three of their last six games and drawing one. However, NYCFC's victories have occurred in their most recent four games.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
New York City FC – 33.6%
Draw – 25.7%
Columbus Crew – 40.7%