Philadelphia Union Vs Columbus Crew: Week 4 Preview

The Philadelphia Union, fresh off their first point of the season, welcome the Columbus Crew to Talen Energy Stadium. Both teams will be without multiple starters who have been called up for international duty. Here is a full Week 4 preview.

The 2019 MLS season continues this weekend with the Philadelphia Union hosting the Columbus Crew. The Crew are off to a nice start this season, going 2-0-1 including a win over FC Dallas last week.

Defense has been the story for Columbus as they have not given up a goal in 264 minutes of game time, since the 6th minute of their season opener against the New York Red Bulls. The Union are coming a game where they got their first point of the season after a 1-1 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Here is the full Week 4 preview.

Last Week

The Philadelphia Union traveled to Atlanta United, looking for their first point of the season. They did what they needed to do to come away with a 1-1 draw. Atlanta continued their new possession-based style of play, having 70% of the ball, but they lacked class in the attacking third. The Union also continued their early-season finishing struggles, but just after the half, scored their first goal of the season during the run of play.

Brenden Aaronson, who is an 18-year-old homegrown player, started for the suspended Marco Fabian and used a deflection to score in his MLS debut. It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but it was one that he, and Union fans, won’t forget. Fafa Picault seemed to think the net was located in the second deck of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He had multiple chances to finish but lacked the accuracy.

The Union lead lasted 23 minutes until Ezequiel Barco, who came on just three minutes prior, headed home the equalizer for the home squad. The Union probably should have taken the full three points from Atlanta, but will be happy to head back home with their first point of the season.

Meanwhile, the Columbus Crew used a 10th-minute header from Gaston Sauro to earn the full three points from visiting FC Dallas. The Crew limited Dallas to just two shots on goal, but would probably feel slightly fortunate to run away with the victory. In the 57th minute, Zack Steffen made a phenomenal save with his foot to deny Michal Barrios’ attempt to even the score. With the win, Columbus has now taken seven of the possible nine points to start the season and have pitched two consecutive shutouts.

So, how will the international call ups affect this game? That is the main storyline heading into this game.

Which coach will make better adjustments?

There will be a lot of pressure on Jim Curtin and Caleb Porter as both will be without some key starters due to the international period. The Union will be without starting goalkeeper Andre Blake, starting striker Cory Burke, starting midfielder Warren Creavelle, as well as young left-back Matt Real.

With Blake out, Brazilian Carlos Miguel Coronel, who is on loan from RB Salzburg, will be making his MLS debut. The Union will also be getting Marco Fabian back from his one-game ban and could potentially see the debut of Jamiro Montiero who is on loan from Metz. To replace Burke, Curtin will most likely have to put David Accam up top with Fafa Picault. However, there has been talk of Curtin playing Fabian as a second striker, which would be an interesting change.

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Porter, meanwhile, will be without much more key players than the Union. It will be interesting to see who he chooses to replace them with. Midfielder Wil Trapp, forward Gyasi Zardes, full-back Waylon Francis and winger Justin Meram will all be out on international duty. Starting goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who was called up to the USMNT, will miss the game after suffering a minor knee injury. Joe Bendik should slide into the net for Columbus, in what will be his first MLS action since October when he was with Orlando City. Replacing Zardes upfront will most likely be veteran Patrick Mullins, who will also be making his debut this season. The Crew could also put JJ Williams in that spot, but Porter will likely go for the veteran over the rookie. In the midfield, it is anticipated that Porter will go with Ricardo Clark to replace captain Trapp. To deal with the Francis absence on the backline, Hector Jimenez is the only other left-back on the roster and should get the nod.

This game will be determined by how each manager adjusts to being down so many key players which is why myself, and most people, hate that the MLS plays through this break. This game could have been a measuring stick game for the Union, but instead, they will just be hoping to get points against a depleted Crew squad.

Prediction

It is really hard to pick a side in this one as the international call-ups affect the game substantially. Getting Marco Fabian back will be a huge lift for the Union, and if Jamiro Montiero debuts, they might be effective in the attack. Columbus losing Zardes is probably the biggest miss, as the drop off between him to Mullins, or JJ Williams is drastic. Another big unknown is the goalkeeper situation at both clubs. We have not seen Carlos Miguel Coronel in any meaningful games and Bendik is coming off an awful season with Orlando City.

The Union will have the majority of the pressure and will sneak one through while holding the Crew scoreless. Philadelphia gets their first win of the season while handing the Crew their first loss.