Philadelphia Union loses to Columbus Crew in return to Leagues Cup, road to playoffs gets tougher – Philly Sports
Mandatory loan: Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union returned to league play on Wednesday night at Subaru Park against the Columbus Crew. On Sunday, Union lost to Colorado Rapids on penalties in the match for third place in the 2024 Leagues Cup.
Just last Wednesday, August 21, the Union faced the Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup semifinals. Columbus came away with a 3-1 win and then defeated LAFC in the final on Sunday.
Union sits 10th in the Eastern Conference and is just one point away from the final playoff spot. It needs every possible point in the standings to make the MLS Cup Playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. Wednesday’s game would have been a perfect start to gain momentum in the standings, but the team lost 1-0 to Columbus. The pressure continues to mount on Jim Curtin’s side as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.
Before the match began, Tai Baribo was honoured and named as the Leagues Cup’s top goalscorer. Baribo led the tournament with seven goals.
Danley Jean Jacques made his starting debut for the Boys in Blue. Jean Jacques joined the club from FC Metz on August 8th.
Here is the analysis of Wednesday’s game against the Columbus Crew:
Union starting eleven (4-4-2):
Andrew Blake; Nathan Harriel; Jacob Glesnes; Jack Elliott; Kai Wagner; Quinn Sullivan; Alejandro Bedoya; Danley Jean-Jacques; Leon Flach; Tai Baribo; Daniel Gazdag
Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew:
The Union started the game hot. In the first 10 minutes, Harriel, Elliott and Jean Jacques converted almost all of their headers. Columbus’ Derrick Jones received a yellow card in the third minute after following Bedoya, which led to a free kick. In the 13th minute, Baribo hit the right post from the middle of the box and nearly gave the Boys in Blue a 1-0 lead.
In the 22nd minute, Harriel was forced off due to injury and was replaced by Olivier Mbaizo. The recent transfer of Damion Lowe to Al-Akhdoud dealt Union’s defense another blow.
After the game, Curtin mentioned that Harriel had back spasms and there was currently no timetable.
In the 38th minute, Sullivan nearly found the net, but his effort from the middle of the box also hit the crossbar. Minutes later, Glesens sent a ball behind Columbus’ defense to Wagner, but Wagner couldn’t get a shot off before losing possession. Wagner then received a yellow card in the 45+5 minute after fouling Sean Zawadzki.
Union could have been ahead by several goals at halftime, but the first 45 minutes ended goalless.
Union came back strong in the second half. Ball recoveries, counterattacks and strong first passes kept Columbus’ defense in check. Blake made a great save in the 59th minute. Mbazio was caught at the back door, but Blake managed to keep the game scoreless.
In the 72nd minute, Curtin made two substitutions. Jack McGlynn replaced Jean Jacques and Mikael Uhre replaced Bedoya.
Just three minutes later, in the 75th minute, Columbus equalized at 0-0. Yaw Yeboah headed in a goal from the center of the box following a cross from Max Arfsten. Mbazio lost sight of Yeboah, allowing him to penetrate deep into the box and find space for a free header.
After taking the lead, Columbus controlled the rest of the game. In the 89th minute, Malte Amundsen was cautioned for unsportsmanlike conduct and Patrick Schulte received a yellow card in the 90th+6th minute for the same incident.
In the six minutes of injury time, Union could no longer find its momentum and was 1-0 down.
Next
The Union return to the field on Saturday night when they face the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena.
Mandatory loan: Philadelphia Union
