Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy has challenged striker Wessam Abou Ali to add to his MLS goal tally.

Abou Ali scored his first goal in the competition during the Crew’s thrilling 5-4 victory against Atlanta United, during which they were 5-0 up inside 40 minutes.

The 26-year-old joined Columbus at the end of June from Egyptian side Al Ahly, but only made his debut on August 23 as a substitute against the New England Revolution.

Columbus face New York City FC in their next match, and a win could be invaluable for them as they look to cement their playoff position.

The Crew are fifth in the Eastern Conference on 49 points, two points above seventh-place NYCFC, who also have a game in hand.

Nancy may need Abou Ali to play a pivotal role in their upcoming clash after Diego Rossi, who scored a hat-trick against Atlanta, was forced off with an injury before half-time.

“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 said of Abou Ali.

“You know me, I'm not a guy that’s trying to make assumptions. The reality is if he scores, he scores.

“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.”

Columbus may have edged out Atlanta last time out, but Nancy will not have been impressed with how his team allowed the Five Stripes back into the game.

Atlanta finished with a whopping 3.78 expected goals. The Crew, though, showed how clinical they can be in front of goal, having got all seven of their shots on target.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

New York City FC – Alonso Martinez

Alonso Martinez has scored seven goals in his last seven matches after he found the net against Chicago last time out.

Martinez has 15 goals this season, following on from his tally of 16 last year, joining David Villa (four) as the only two players in NYCFC history with multiple 15-goal seasons.

Columbus Crew – Wessam Abou Ali

With top-scorer Rossi’s availability in question, Abou Ali could have the chance to showcase his quality against NYCFC.

Abou Ali registered 35 direct goal contributions (28 goals, seven assists) in as many league games for Al Ahly, while also scoring a hat-trick against Porto in the Club World Cup.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

Columbus will be confident heading into this game, having avoided defeat against NYCFC in their last seven matches in all competitions (three wins, four draws). That is tied for the longest winless run against any opponent in NYCFC history (all competitions).

However, Columbus’ defensive frailties were on show against Atlanta. The Crew became the first team in MLS history to score five goals in the first half of an away match as well as the first team in MLS history to lead by five or more goals and win by a margin of less than three.

None of NYCFC’s last 20 home matches in all competitions have ended in draws (W13 L7), with the last a 2-1 defeat to D.C. United on August 30. NYCFC have not lost consecutive home games in over two years, since losses to Philadelphia and Cincinnati in May 2023.

Both sides enter the match in similar form, having won three of their last six and drawn one, but NYCFC’s wins have come in their previous four games.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

New York City FC – 33.6%

Draw – 25.7%

Columbus Crew – 40.7%