ShareThe Columbus Crew will look to continue making their way up the Eastern Conference when they host Minnesota United on Saturday.Columbus Crew head coach Henrik Rydstrom believes his side are "getting better and better as a team" ahead of their clash against Minnesota United.The Crew have won each of their last three games across all competitions, following up back-to-back wins in MLS with a victory over One Knoxville in the U.S. Open Cup.Last time out in MLS, Columbus defeated the Philadelphia Union 2-0 to move up to eighth in the Eastern Conference.It was just the Crew's second clean sheet in the league this season, while it was their third win in their opening 10 games.Rydstrom believes his side are heading in the right direction as they prepare to welcome Minnesota to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field."We are getting better and better as a team," Rydstrom said."After the Toronto game away, we had two days off after that game, then we trained a couple of days, and then we had three days off. I was in an Airbnb and didn't leave Columbus, and I was, 'How do we solve this now?'"After that, I think we have found a way where we can handle different game types, and we have three victories, one draw, one loss and then an Open Cup victory. We are getting better as a team, and that helps the individual players, also."The game demands different things from you, but we are good in we find ways of answering the game."Minnesota's inconsistent start to 2026 continued after five consecutive wins in all competitions were followed by back-to-back losses.They lost 1-0 to Los Angeles FC last time out in MLS, before being knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup by the San Jose Earthquakes.PLAYERS TO WATCHColumbus Crew – Max ArfstenMax Arfsten has been involved in six goals in his last six regular-season appearances (three goals, three assists), including the last three in a row.This is the third time in Arfsten's MLS career that he has been involved in a goal in three straight appearances, also doing so twice last season.Minnesota United – James RodriguezJames Rodriguez attempted six shots and recorded five chances created in his first career MLS start last Saturday.James is the second player to debut in MLS since 2010 to record at least five shots and five chances created in his first regular-season start (Gustavo Bou in 2019).MATCH PREDICTION – COLUMBUS CREW WINColumbus have put together consecutive wins after winning just one of their first eight matches of the 2026 regular season (D3 L4).Both wins came at home after the Crew had won just one of their previous seven regular-season home games dating back to last season (D3 L3).Minnesota have won only one of seven all-time meetings with Columbus (D3 L3), though the Loons advanced on penalties in two of the three draws, doing so in the round of 16 of MLS is Back in 2020 and in the round of 32 in the 2023 Leagues Cup.Minnesota have won three straight regular-season away matches for the fifth time in club history, though they have never managed to win four in a row on the road before. The Loons conceded 11 goals in their first three away games of 2026 (D1 L2), but have allowed just two during the three-match winning run.OPTA WIN PROBABILITYColumbus Crew – 46.8%Draw – 26.4%Minnesota United – 26.8%The Columbus Crew will look to continue making their way up the Eastern Conference when they host Minnesota United on Saturday.Columbus Crew head coach Henrik Rydstrom believes his side are "getting better and better as a team" ahead of their clash against Minnesota United.The Crew have won each of their last three games across all competitions, following up back-to-back wins in MLS with a victory over One Knoxville in the U.S. Open Cup.Last time out in MLS, Columbus defeated the Philadelphia Union 2-0 to move up to eighth in the Eastern Conference.It was just the Crew's second clean sheet in the league this season, while it was their third win in their opening 10 games.Rydstrom believes his side are heading in the right direction as they prepare to welcome Minnesota to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field."We are getting better and better as a team," Rydstrom said."After the Toronto game away, we had two days off after that game, then we trained a couple of days, and then we had three days off. I was in an Airbnb and didn't leave Columbus, and I was, 'How do we solve this now?'"After that, I think we have found a way where we can handle different game types, and we have three victories, one draw, one loss and then an Open Cup victory. We are getting better as a team, and that helps the individual players, also."The game demands different things from you, but we are good in we find ways of answering the game."Minnesota's inconsistent start to 2026 continued after five consecutive wins in all competitions were followed by back-to-back losses.They lost 1-0 to Los Angeles FC last time out in MLS, before being knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup by the San Jose Earthquakes.PLAYERS TO WATCHColumbus Crew – Max ArfstenMax Arfsten has been involved in six goals in his last six regular-season appearances (three goals, three assists), including the last three in a row.This is the third time in Arfsten's MLS career that he has been involved in a goal in three straight appearances, also doing so twice last season.Minnesota United – James RodriguezJames Rodriguez attempted six shots and recorded five chances created in his first career MLS start last Saturday.James is the second player to debut in MLS since 2010 to record at least five shots and five chances created in his first regular-season start (Gustavo Bou in 2019).MATCH PREDICTION – COLUMBUS CREW WINColumbus have put together consecutive wins after winning just one of their first eight matches of the 2026 regular season (D3 L4).Both wins came at home after the Crew had won just one of their previous seven regular-season home games dating back to last season (D3 L3).Minnesota have won only one of seven all-time meetings with Columbus (D3 L3), though the Loons advanced on penalties in two of the three draws, doing so in the round of 16 of MLS is Back in 2020 and in the round of 32 in the 2023 Leagues Cup.Minnesota have won three straight regular-season away matches for the fifth time in club history, though they have never managed to win four in a row on the road before. The Loons conceded 11 goals in their first three away games of 2026 (D1 L2), but have allowed just two during the three-match winning run.OPTA WIN PROBABILITYColumbus Crew – 46.8%Draw – 26.4%Minnesota United – 26.8%