2024 MLS: Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Feb 24)

• Columbus Crew is the defending champion of the Major League Soccer (MLS).
• The home team won each of the last three Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United games at Lower.com Field.

Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United is the game that kicks off Saturday’s action of the 2024 MLS. The defending champions are welcoming the boys from Georgia at Lower.com Field in Columbus. That’s where they’re undefeated against Atlanta Utd in almost three years.

How to Watch

• When: Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Lower.com Field, Columbus, Ohio
• How to Watch: Apple TV

Odds

Game Preview

Columbus Crew is the winner of last year’s MLS Cup and most of the players from the title-winning generation are still on the roster. This includes forwards Cucho and Yaw Yeboah who scored goals in the 2-1 win over LAFC in the MLS Cup Game in December.

This team looks strong in 2024, but so does its first opponent in the new MLS season. Atlanta United has made some interesting signings over the last couple of months, bringing in several experienced players from Europe, most notably, defender Stian Gregersen (from Bordeaux), midfielder Bartosz Slisz (from Legia), and forward Xande Silva (from Dijon).

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Still, these guys will probably need some time to slot in with their new teammates. Atlanta did play a couple of friendlies in the build-up to the 2024 MLS season, but none of those were against tough opponents. Certainly not as tough as Atlanta’s next opponent.

Columbus Crew vs. Atlanta United Prediction

The last time these two met was in the MLS playoffs last season. Columbus won the series 2-1, with both of its wins happening at Lower.com Field. Those were dominating wins actually, 2-0 and 4-2. We expect the Crew to be dominant again, starting the 2024 MLS season with a relatively easy win.

Free Pick: