Columbus Crew begin their 2023 MLS Cup title defense at Lower.com Field against Atlanta United on Saturday afternoon.

Columbus will be eager to start off on the right foot in front of their supporters in their 20th meeting against the Five Stripes. The Crew kept most of their MLS Cup winning squad together — including head coach Wilfried Nancy — while Atlanta made several changes to their starting XI in the winter transfer window.

Here’s 90min’s preview of the clash between the Eastern Conference juggernauts.

Earlier this week, the Crew signed wing-back Mohamed Farsi to a new long-term contract through the 2027 campaign after his impressive showings during 2023 MLS Cup playoffs. As Julian Gressel departed Columbus to sign for Inter Miami as a free agent, Farsi is expected to be the starter at right wing-back in the 2024 season.

Nancy has no new injuries within his Columbus camp, meaning he’ll have his full squad available for selection.

Columbus Crew predicted lineup vs Atlanta United (3-4-3): Schulte, Moreiera, Camacho, Amundsen; Farsi, Nagbe, Morris, Yeboah; Rossi, Hernandez, Matan.

Star midfielder Thiago Almada has returned to the Atlanta camp after guiding the U23 Argentina national team to the Summer Olympics in Paris, and he should be good to go from the start having last played on February 11.

Atlanta signed free-agent goalkeeper Josh Cohen this offseason to eventually replace Brad Guzan, but it’s still Guzan’s spot to lose in the first game of the season. However, new signings Stian Gregersen and Bartosz Slisz make their way into Gonzalo Pineda’s lineup.

Winger Edwin Mosquera is still nursing a shoulder injury and is expected to miss the clash.

Atlanta United predicted lineup vs Columbus Crew (4-2-3-1): Guzan; Lennon, Gregersen, Abram, Wiley; Muyumba, Slisz; Lobjanidze, Almada, Silva; Giakoumakis.

Each time Atlanta travel to Columbus, they end up getting smacked around to lose by two-to-three goals. However, with defensive reinforcements, things will be different this time around. Columbus will come out swinging, but the Five Stripes will still stay in the game.

As Slisz and Gregersen are still learning the movements of their teammates and gaining a better understanding of the team’s style of play, there will be hiccups in the early stages. Atlanta will still leak in a couple of goals but they’ll manage to peg the Crew back twice to take home a hard-earned point to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with Thiago Almada orchestrating the Atlanta attack.

Prediction: Columbus Crew 2-2 Atlanta United