Columbus Crew will take on UNAM Pumas in the third round of the Leagues Cup on August 12, 2026, at 06:30 AM. Columbus Crew has shown remarkable performance in the tournament so far, winning their first two matches against Atlas and Pachuca with scores of 3-1 and 2-1, respectively. This puts them in a strong position, as they are among the leaders in Major League Soccer (MLS) and have a significant chance of progressing further in the tournament.

On the other hand, UNAM Pumas is currently facing a tough season, having not scored any goals in the Leagues Cup this year. They suffered defeats against Charlotte and FC Cincinnati, with scores of 0-3 and 0-2. This poor performance makes it difficult for them to turn the tide in the upcoming match against a strong Columbus Crew team.

Columbus Crew enjoys a physical advantage, having played three consecutive home games, allowing their players ample rest compared to UNAM Pumas. The Crew's attacking prowess has been evident, scoring five goals while conceding only two in their two matches. In contrast, UNAM Pumas has failed to find the net and has conceded five goals in the same number of games.

As the match approaches, Columbus Crew is expected to dominate the game. The team needs to maintain their focus and avoid mistakes to secure another three points. UNAM Pumas will need to concentrate on defending against the Crew's pressure and find opportunities to counterattack, relying on their speedy forwards to create chances.

Predictions for the match suggest that Columbus Crew is likely to score between three to five goals, while UNAM Pumas may struggle to find the back of the net. The expected total number of corners is between nine to twelve, with Columbus Crew averaging four to five corners per match, while UNAM Pumas typically earns five to six corners.

In terms of disciplinary actions, Columbus Crew averages one to two yellow cards per match, while UNAM Pumas tends to receive two to three yellow cards. Given the stakes of the match, there is a high possibility of multiple cards being issued, including potential red cards due to the intensity of the game.

In conclusion, the upcoming match between Columbus Crew and UNAM Pumas is shaping up to be a challenging encounter for the latter, with Columbus Crew favored to win. The predicted scoreline is Columbus Crew 3, UNAM Pumas 1.

Team News:
Columbus Crew has no notable absences, while UNAM Pumas has a full squad available for selection.

Projected Lineups:
Columbus Crew: Patrick Schulte; Cesar Ruvalcaba, Rudy Camacho, Malte Amundsen, Steven Moreira; André Gomes, Tarun Karumanchi, Taha Habroune, Mohamed Farsi; Dániel Gazdag, Brais Méndez.
UNAM Pumas: Keylor Navas; Nathan Silva, Antonio Leone, Víctor Arteaga, Luciano Herrera; Adalberto Carrasquilla, Juninho, Alan Medina, Cristian Calderón; Uriel Antuna, Guillermo Martínez.