Columbus Crew SC vs. Philadelphia Union | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

Columbus Crew SC vs. Philadelphia Union
2018 MLS Regular Season – Week 11
MAPFRE Stadium - Columbus
May 9 - 7:30 pm ET
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After three straight losses, Columbus Crew SC are now unbeaten in three consecutive games following a 0-0 draw at Seattle on Saturday, while the Philadelphia Union have lost three of their last four, including a 3-0 defeat at Toronto FC Friday night.

It is the second meeting between Crew SC and the Union, with the teams playing to a 0-0 draw on March 17 at Talen Energy Stadium.

Columbus Crew SC

Ahead of a busy week, Crew SC coach Gregg Berhalter made four changes to his team that beat San Jose, 2-1, at home, leaving center back Jonathan Mensah, right back Harrison Afful, midfielder Artur and winger Niko Hansen back in Columbus, while starting Josh Williams, Hector Jimenez, Ricardo Clark and Cristian Martinez.

Berhalter had to make a tactical change after just 15 minutes when Pedro Santos was shown a straight red card for violent conduct, inserting Alex Crognale for Martinez in a 5-3-1 formation as Columbus (4-3-3) managed to escape CenturyLink Field with a point.

“I’m proud of the guys,” Berhalter said. “i think it was an outstanding effort. The way we organized ourselves, defended and stayed disciplined with the defending was excellent. Under difficult conditions, on turf, pretty warm, down a man, I think the guys did a great job.”

Suspended: M - Pedro Santos
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: GK - Ben Lundgaard (left thumb surgery)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Zack Steffen — Harrison Afful, Jonathan Mensah, Lalas Abubakar, Milton Valenzuela — Wil Trapp, Artur — Cristian Martinez, Federico Higuain, Niko Hansen — Gyasi Zardes

Notes: Crew SC have lost just one of their last 12 home games, including the postseason (8W-3D) ... Columbus have scored multiple goals in four of their five home games this season.

Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia (2-4-2) continued to struggle away from home, falling to 0-3-0 this season and 15 in a row without a win dating back to a 4-0 victory over D.C. United last May 13, after dropping a 3-0 decision to Toronto FC Friday night at BMO Field.

The Union have two more games away from Talen Energy Stadium this week — heading to Stade Saputo on the weekend to face the Montreal Impact following Columbus.

“It’s been a struggle on the road, it’s no secret,” Union coach Jim Curtin said. “But anytime the margins are tiny in this league you still need to get your chances, take opportunities on the road because no chances are fewer and farther between. … It’s still early but now we have some urgency to put on things.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - Richie Marquez (sports hernia surgery); QUESTIONABLE: D - Fabinho (right meniscus surgery)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Andre Blake — Keegan Rosenberry, Jack Elliott, Auston Trusty, Raymon Gaddis — Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya — Ilsinho, Borek Dockal, David Accam — CJ Sapong

Notes: The Union have won five of the previous eight games against the Crew (2L-1D) ... Philly have not won in their last 15 league road games (11L-4D) ... They have lost five straight games and have failed to score in three straight matches. All are franchise worsts.

All-Time Series

Overall: Columbus Crew SC 11 wins, 31 goals … Philadelphia Union 8 wins, 31 goals … 2 ties
At Columbus: Crew SC 7 wins, 20 goals … Union 2 wins, 12 goals … 1 tie
Last meeting at Columbus: Columbus Crew SC 1, Philadelphia Union 0 (July 22, 2017)