Philadelphia Union welcome Columbus Crew to Subaru Park in their first match of the 2023 MLS season on Saturday night.
It is the first meeting between the two sides since July 2022, when they played out a 0-0 draw at Lower.com Field in Ohio.
Match preview
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Philadelphia Union will be looking to build on their 2022 MLS season, in which they won the Eastern Conference but agonisingly came up short in the final of the playoffs, losing the MLS Cup to Los Angeles FC after a penalty shootout.
The U picked up 67 points in their 34 Eastern Conference matches, finishing two points ahead of CF Montreal, so there is a lot to be positive about despite the heartbreak of last season, and they will be looking to go one better this time around.
Jim Curtin's side scored the most goals and conceded the fewest in the 2022 campaign, displaying just how well-rounded they are as a side, and they have continued that form into pre-season.
Of their seven warm-up matches, Philadelphia Union have won four, drawn two and lost one, most recently running out comprehensive winners against Colorado Rapids at Subaru Park, defeating the fellow MLS side 4-1.
In their last five matches against Saturday's opponents, the U are undefeated, and so they should be full of confidence heading into the game, especially considering how Columbus Crew fared in the 2022 campaign.
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Indeed, Columbus did not have the best of seasons last year, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the second season on the spin after finishing in eighth place, two points behind the all-important top seven.
The Crew's fate was confirmed in agonising fashion on the final day of the season, losing 2-1 against Orlando, having taken the lead in the first half, with Facundo Torres striking late.
Preparation for the new season has not been ideal for Wilfried Nancy's side, given that pre-season matches against Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Inter Miami were cancelled, meaning that they have only been able to play two warm-up games.
In their first match, Columbus played out a 1-1 draw against Houston Dynamo at the Lower.com Field, before recording a 2-1 victory away at Hartford Athletic in their most recent encounter.
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Team News
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Philadelphia Union have made some solid acquisitions in the transfer window, bringing in the likes of Joaquin Torres from CF Montreal, Andres Perea from Orlando City and Damion Lowe, in another domestic trade with Inter Miami.
However, none of them started in the U's final pre-season match, with Curtin likely to stick by the majority of the team that so nearly brought home the MLS Cup last season.
Curtin will have to make do without highly-rated youngster Paxten Aaronson, with the attacking midfielder joining Eintracht Frankfurt, so Daniel Gazdag is likely to keep his place in the starting lineup.
Columbus Crew have also been busy in the transfer market, with key additions including the likes of left-back Jimmy Medranda and striker Christian Ramirez, with the latter making his return to the MLS, having most recently played for Aberdeen.
Both new signings are expected to slot straight into the team, while Josh Williams could be set to start at centre-back instead of Jonathan Mensah, as the former club captain left the club to join San Jose Earthquakes.
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; Martinez, Bedoya, Flach, Gazdag; Carranza, Uhre
Columbus Crew possible starting lineup:
Room; Moreira, Degenek, Williams, Medranda; Morris, Nagbe, Espinoza, Zelarayan, Molino; Ramirez
We say: Philadelphia Union 3-0 Columbus Crew
All the signs indicate that Philadelphia should be comfortable winners on Saturday night, getting their 2023 campaign off to the perfect start against a side they have a very good recent record against.
Not only are the U undefeated against Columbus in the last five meetings, they have not conceded a single goal in that time, and we expect that record to continue this weekend, given the disparity between the two sides last season.
How to watch
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Dominic Lund
