Photo courtesy of Kevin Barrett
Who: Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew
What: MLS Matchday 14
Where: Subaru Park
When: Saturday, May 16th, 7:30 PM EST
Watch: Apple TV
Whistle: REF: Armando Villarreal, AR1: Ryan Graves, AR2: Diego Blas, 4TH: Ricardo Montero Araya, VAR: Michael Radchuk, AVAR: Tom Felice
Just days after another heartbreaking loss to Orlando City, the Philadelphia Union return home to Subaru Park to host fellow strugglers the Columbus Crew. The Crew sit 13th in the Eastern Conference standings, just two spots and six points ahead of the Union. This is the penultimate game for the Union before the World Cup break, and the final home game. The extended break could offer a much-needed reset for the team, but in the meantime, Bradley Carnell’s men must try to generate some positivity before the city’s attention shifts.
Scouting Report: Columbus Crew
Columbus and Philly last met just three weeks ago, when the Columbus Crew cruised to a two nil win over the visiting Union. The Crew have not had much luck since then, losing three games in a row in MLS play while giving up a combined nine goals (including two consecutive hat tricks). It is fair to say at this point that this is not the same Columbus Crew of the last few seasons, who were one of the most feared teams in the Eastern Conference under former head coach Wilfried Nancy. New head coach Henrik Rydström has changed formations and philosophies, but has struggled to produce more with less the same way Nancy did for years.
There are still a few dangerous players on this Crew roster. Diego Rossi is a perennial All Star who has consistently put up double-digit goals in MLS. Max Arfsten may feature at the World Cup for the US national team, although the nominal left wingback is now playing as a right midfielder for the Crew.
One particular area of weakness is on set pieces; the Crew are not a tall team, and have given up four set piece goals in their last three games.
Injury Report: Wessam Abou Ali – Knee (Out), Malte Amundsen – Thigh (Out), Jamal Thiaré – Lower Leg (Out), Dylan Chambost – Ankle (Questionable)
Disciplinary Report: N/A
Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union
Wednesday night brought another disheartening loss, but it wasn’t all bad news. The Union came out of halftime strong, and might have won the game with better finishing (or better defending). Cavan Sullivan grabbed the headlines with a goal and an assist in the first truly dominating performance of his young career. He looks physically more confident, which allows his technical ability and creativity to take center stage. Sullivan must feature prominently for this team heading into the World Cup break
Elsewhere on the field, things are less certain. Bradley Carnell has tried all sorts of combinations at forward, but no one besides Milan Iloski has been able to make much of an impact. Perhaps the most promising has been young Homegrown and fan favorite Stas Korzeniowski, who has looked bright in his minutes.
Injuries continue to hamper the backline, with Japhet Sery Larsen and Frankie Westfield set to miss more time. Ben Bender has played decently in his converted left-back role this season, but the center-back situation remains a work in progress, as both Olwethu Makhanya and Geiner Martinez struggled against Orlando.
Injury Report: Jesus Bueno – Ankle (Out), Eddy Davis III – Hamstring (Out). Japhet Sery Larsen – Shoulder (Out), Quinn Sullivan – Knee (Out), Frankie Westfield – Hip (Out)
Disciplinary Report: N/A
Matchup to Watch: Max Arfsten vs. Ben Bender
Assuming Bender starts at left back, he will face a tough test in the form of US international Arfsten, who has two goals and an assist in his last four games (including the game-winner against the Union in April).
Player to Watch: Cavan Sullivan
It may be the obvious pick, but Sullivan’s performance against Orlando caught attention for a reason. The next step in his professional development will be showing consistency.
Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2 – 2 Columbus Crew
Two struggling teams and two struggling defenses should give us goals, but that might not be enough for the Union to earn three points.
Thanks for the report… but when I saw Armando Villarreal as Ref tonight, well, never a good sign for the Union.
It’s going to be the best night of the year, weather wise… let’s hope Carnell plays the kids, and maybe… 3-2 Union.
At this point does it really matter who the ref is?
If the game is a 0-0 draw, that would mean 4 months without a goal at Subaru Park from March 21 to (at least) July 22. Likewise if one team gets a shutout, that would mean the Union go at least 4 months without either giving up or scoring (more likely) a home goal depending on which team gets the shutout.
This season is a total disaster. I still don’t understand Sugarmans dismantling of the team. Did Tanner completely lose his ability in evaluating players ? Has he lost touch with his former professional connections ? Only 3 years ago we had a good mix of quality adult players… Gazdag , Martinez , Glesnes, Wagner, Ellliot, Baribo. Uhre and a few promising young players ie a healthy Quinn Sullivan and Jack McGlynn. The current team would struggle in the USL. I see no solution for this team as a contender with the current ownership. The only hope for this franchise as an MLS caliber team is take on a new partner who is willing to change philosophies. You cant put almost all your profits from selling young players to Europe and reinvest the majority of those profits in developing the accademy program and still maintain a respectable 1st team. It just does not work!!! The MLS has to step in and regulate owners like Sugarman. First fully vet potential owners to see if they have the financial resources to continue to grow a quality 1st team or do not give them a franchise. Second force owners to reinvest a minimum of 65% of profits into replacing players sold to other leagues into 1st team salaries, otherwise you end up with the 2026 Philadelphia Union. I don’t like Carnells complete press style of play. I did not like it even when they were winning last year. It’s an epic failure this year with no solid defense and no quality strikers. I only watch the highlights (lowlights) now. That is all I can stomach. I expect Carnell to be fired at the break along with Tanner. Sugarman must take on a new “controlling major partner ” with a winning philosophy and change priorities that lean towards keeping the 1st teams quality on par with the teams with the median league salaries. The franchise must have the ability to attract and retain proven quality players from leagues equal or better than the MLS. This is not an MLS team.
Well we did get a new lighting system!
POOP!
The Union invested well over 100% of the players sold to other leagues (Kai Wagner). The issue was that they sold 2 players within the league and even with that, they spent about the same amount of money as they got. The league can’t regulate poor decisions when $9 million is spent on transfer fees for Allodah, Martinez, Anello, and Ndinga. (I’m not sure how much they spent on Sery Larsen or if he was a free transfer.)
Who is making the poor decisions than ? Tanner ? Sugarman ? or Carnell ?. Usually in other professional sports it is the GM and coach who the give input in making recommendations on player selection and trades . The owner greenlights the deal. Who is at fault for allowing the dismantling of this teams quality core in favor of MLS 2 players, young players with no proven track record scoring form other leagues, and other MLS players who would not be starting anywhere in the MLS.
1-1 full time.