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 Thursday morning and will head into the weekend looking to find their feet and secure their first win in four matches.
Match preview
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Columbus Crew went into Thursday morning's home clash against Inter Miami knowing 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 games.
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 Thursday.
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.
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On the other hand, Philadelphia Union's late push for a playoff spot suffered a blow on Thursday morning 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 times 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.
Team News
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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
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 Philadelphia Union will hold out for a share of the spoils.
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