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Columbus Crew
Major League Soccer
Oct 6, 2024 at 12.30am UK
MAPFRE Stadium
Philadelphia Union

Columbus Crew
3 - 2
Philadelphia

Camilo Hernandez (4', 76'), Farsi (41')
Herrera (14'), Cheberko (90+2')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Harriel (25'), McGlynn (78')

Preview: Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Philadelphia Union will be looking to move into the coveted play-in places in the Eastern Conference when they visit the Lower.com Field to face a deflated Columbus Crew on Saturday.

The home side were on the receiving end of a 3-2 defeat against Inter Miami in a crunch top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday night and will head into the weekend looking to find their feet and secure their first win in four matches.


Match preview

Malte Amundsen of Columbus Crew in action against Inter Miami on October 2, 2024© Imago

Columbus Crew went into Wednesday's home clash against Inter Miami knowing that a win could take them within five points of the Herons at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with one game in hand heading into the final two matches.

However, two goals from Lionel Messi — including a stunning free kick late in the first half — and a second-half strike from Luis Suarez put Inter Miami one goal up heading into the final 10 minutes before goalkeeper Drake Callender made a brilliant stop to deny Cucho Hernandez from the penalty spot to seal all three points as the Herons clinched the Supporters Shield.

Columbus Crew have now failed to win any of their last three matches, claiming one draw and losing twice, including a penalty-shootout defeat against Mexican outfit Club America in the Campeones Cup final at the Lower.com Field last Wednesday.

Wilfried Nancy's men will be backing themselves to bounce back this weekend as they go up against an opposing side who have lost each of the last three meetings between the teams, conceding five goals and scoring once since a 1-1 draw in October 2023.

Tai Baribo of the Philadelphia Union celebrates a goal on August 9, 2024© Imago

On the other hand, Philadelphia Union's late push for a playoff spot suffered a blow on Wednesday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Orlando City when the two sides squared off at the Exploria Stadium.

With nothing to separate the two teams at half time, Orlando City drew first blow when Facundo Torres opened the scoring in the 57th minute, and after Duncan Maguire doubled the lead in the 64th minute, Quinn Sullivan pulled one back for the visitors in the 72nd minute.

Before that, Philadelphia went three consecutive games without defeat to rekindle their hopes of guaranteeing post-season, picking up back-to-back wins over New York City and DC United while scoring nine goals across both games, before playing out a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United on September 29.

With just two games left to go in the regular season, Jim Curtin's side currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, level on points with 11th-placed DC United and ninth-placed Toronto FC in the second of the two play-in spots.

While Philadelphia will be looking to return to winning ways this weekend, they will need to show their mettle at the Lower.com Field as they have failed to win seven of their nine MLS away matches, losing six and claiming one draw since mid-May.

Columbus Crew Major League Soccer form:

Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer form:


Team News

Mohamed Farsi of Columbus Crew in action against Inter Miami on October 2, 2024© Imago

Columbus Crew will have to cope without French defender Rudy Camacho, who is currently suspended after picking up a red card against Inter Miami last time out.

In his absence, 26-year-old Yevgen Cheberko should come into the fray, forming the back three with Steven Moreira and Malte Amundsen, while Christian Ramirez, Diego Rossi and Hernandez should lead the attack once again.

On the injury front, Curtin will be unable to call upon the duo of 24-year-old Sean Zawadski and goalkeeper Evan Bush, who are currently recuperating from chest and arm injuries respectively.

Philadelphia Union, meanwhile, remain without the services of 21-year-old defender Isaiah LeFlore, who continues his lengthy recovery from a knee injury.

American goalkeeper Holden Trent has been out of action since August through a hand injury while Danish forward Mikael Uhre, who has 15 goals contributions in the league, is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards.


Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Schulte; Moreira, Cheberko, Amundsen; Farsi, Matan, Nagbe, Arfsten; Ramirez, Rossi, Hernandez

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; Jacques, Bedoya, McGlynn; Gazdag, Uhre, Baribo


SM words green background

We say: Columbus Crew 2-2 Philadelphia Union

Still licking their wounds from Thursday's defeat against Inter Miami, Columbus Crew will head into the weekend looking to return to winning ways and end their three-game winless run. However, with their playoff dreams potentially hinging on this one, we predict that Philadelphia Union will hold out for a share of the spoils.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia

Columbus Crew
72.7%
Draw
18.2%
Philadelphia Union
9.1%
11
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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