Union looks to stay top of MLS on the road at Columbus

The Philadelphia Union are back at it again tonight in MLS play. After a midweek trip to Chicago and gaining three more points, Philly is on the road again, heading to Columbus to take on the Crew. It’s a clash between 1st and 4th place in the East on Sunday Night Soccer!

Union, MLS — Image Credit: Philadelphia Union

Union at Crew Preview

When the Union and the Crew play each other, we get fireworks, as these two Eastern Conference teams provide a good spectacle for MLS. In 38 all-time matches, Columbus has the advantage, winning 18 times to Philadelphia’s 13; throw in seven draws, and we see a matchup that provides good games. The next addition is Sunday Night Soccer, where there is much on the line for both clubs.

Philly is on a legendary unbeaten run that started on April 19th. With 40 points from 19 matches, Philadelphia has a hold on the top of the East and Supporters’ Shield. Thanks to international callups and injuries, they’ve extended this run recently with a shorthanded team. Bradley Carnell has his team flying, but a tough test stands in front of them in the form of the Columbus Crew.

Columbus has had an up-and-down year so far, according to their standards. Crew SC expects to compete for trophies at the top of the league. So far this year, they’ve taken 34 points from 19 games, six points off Philadelphia’s pace. Wilfried Nancy has his team playing high-paced possession-based soccer. Can this counteract Philly’s high-pressing style?

Three questions ahead of Crew-Union

These two teams have met this season; it was a 2-2 draw in Chester, PA, as Columbus clawed their way back to earn the point scoring in the 90+3 minute. Both teams played their versions of soccer, creating a great contrast. Expect them to do the same in this match. This rematch presents three questions ahead of this crucial Eastern Conference clash.

1. Who will be present for Philly?

Philadelphia has been playing shorthanded recently and will still not have its full squad in this match. Their top scorer, Tai Baribo, is still out, as is fellow striker Mikael Uhre. A pair of right backs, Oliver Mbaizo and Frankie Westfield, are also both sidelined for Philly. On top of that, Jakob Glesnes is out against Columbus because of the accumulation of yellow cards. While this isn’t great, there is some good news.

Danley Jean Jacques, and Andre Blake are back with Philadelphia after their runs at the Concacaf Gold Cup were cut short. Midfielder Jesus Bueno is also progressing well and could play at Columbus. Getting these three players back would help solidify a Union team relying on its youngsters and second-team players. We’ll see if this will be enough to round out this Philly team vs a tough test against Columbus.

Projected Union Starting XI:

GK: Blake
LB: Wagner CB: Pierre CB: Makhanya RB: Bedoya
CDM: Lukic CDM: Danley
CAM: Vassilev CAM: Bender
ST: Damiani ST: Donovan

2. Will Crew SC be able to play their beautiful soccer?

Nancy-ball is the phrase coined to describe how Columbus likes to play. They love to possess the ball and play beautiful passes to unlock the defenses. Their 3-4-3 formation is used to create overloads in possession. The two wingbacks in the midfield push forward to develop crosses to find the three forwards, the two sitting midfielders then create options atop the box to change the angle of the passing lanes. The question is, can the Crew do this against Philly’s high press?

In the first match, it was clear that Philadelphia’s press was a nuisance for Columbus. The Crew had 70% possession but failed to create any real chances from that possession. They were able to salvage a point, but they want to dominate games. If they are going to do this in this game, Columbus will have to pass out of Philly’s press in their own half. Do that, and the Crew will have space to run at the Philadelphia defense and create real goal-scoring chances.

Projected Crew Starting XI:

GK: Bush
CB: Moreira CB: Zawadzki CB: Chberko
LWB: Lappalainen CM: Chambost CM: Nagbe RWB: Aliyu
LW: Rossi ST: Russell-Rowe RW: Gazdag

3. Can Union extend unbeaten streak to 14 games across all competitions?

For Philly, the goal is clear: extend their unbeaten streak to 14 games across all competitions and stay atop MLS. To do so, they will need to at least get a point at Columbus, a place the Union has struggled to get results at in recent years. Philly’s last win in Columbus was way back in 2016, and they’ve only gotten four draws against the Crew on the road since that win nine years ago. For Philly to do what they set out will come down to their grit.

The one thing the Union has had all season long is grit and determination to be competitive in matches. It doesn’t matter who the opposition is or who is on the field for Philly; they fight for the available points. This will have to be the case in this match tonight. The Union will fight and will make things difficult for the Crew. The key to the game will be, if the press doesn’t work, how does Philly respond?

How to watch Sunday Night Soccer

This will be a high-intensity match, albeit one with two very different play styles on the field. It’s a good showcase for the league, and it gets the Sunday Night Soccer billing. It’s one that you won’t want to miss. Tune in to AppleTV to see the action before, during, and after the game!

MLS Countdown: MLS studio show | 5 pm EST | AppleTV+
Sunday Night Soccer: Crew vs Union | 6 pm EST | AppleTV+