Crew-D.C. United Preview

A string of excellent results has the Columbus Crew's confidence soaring, while D.C. United may have had theirs restored with their most recent outcome.

In a game with significant ramifications in the Eastern Conference, the Crew aim for a franchise-record fourth straight road win in Saturday night's matchup with still-slumping United.

Columbus' 4-1-1 surge and D.C.'s four-game winless stretch has created a tight four-way race for first place entering the final month. Though one point back of conference leader New England, United (13-10-6) is only one ahead of fourth-place Columbus (12-9-8) and tied for second with the New York Red Bulls, who hold two games in hand on those three teams.

"Everybody's pushing each other at training and there's motivation in the locker room, knowing that these games coming up against D.C. United are really, really big games," Crew forward and MLS goals leader Kei Kamara said.

The teams also square off in Columbus in the Oct. 25 regular-season finale.

D.C. had been atop the East before three straight league losses to end August. It was headed toward a fourth before Fabian Espindola set up Steve Birnbaum in the 87th minute to forge a 1-all draw at Colorado on Sept. 12.

"It's not a win, but it's a step in the right direction," Birnbaum said.

United also may have gained some momentum from Tuesday's 2-0 home win over Arabe Unido that clinched a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, as well as Espindola's recovery from a knee injury that sidelined the 2014 team MVP for nearly six weeks. The veteran forward had scored in two consecutive games prior to missing four straight before returning against Colorado.

Espindola had a goal and an assist in United's 2-0 home victory over Columbus on May 2. The Crew had recorded two wins and a tie in three previous trips to Washington, however, and extended their current road streak with a 2-1 victory over Philadelphia Sept. 12 behind Kamara's two early goals.

Columbus is 4-1-0 in its last five away games.

Kamara became the 16th player in MLS and second in Crew history to score 20 goals in a season, and leads Toronto's Sebastian Giovinco by three in the Golden Boot standings.

The standout striker hasn't scored in five straight games against D.C., though the Crew have fared well in recent meetings. Columbus had posted three wins and two draws before its loss at RFK Stadium in May.