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It’s a double game week for the Columbus Crew and it begins on Wednesday night in Pennsylvania. For the first time in over two years, the Black & Gold are set to play the Philadelphia Union on the road in a massive clash at the top of the Eastern Conference table. The Union sits in third place in the East standings, one point ahead of fourth place Columbus, although the Crew has one game in hand. Wednesday’s match will also be the first in Philly with a full capacity crowd since the COVID-19 pandemic started. The Crew opened the 2021 MLS season against the Union in Columbus with a scoreless draw.
The Black & Gold are riding high on a three-match winning streak dating back to May 22. Columbus came back from the three-week break with a 2-0 win against the Chicago Fire on Saturday in the last ever match at historic Crew Stadium. The squad is getting healthier with the likes of Kevin Molino and Marlon Hairston no longer on the injury list.
Philadelphia has met its high expectations early in this season. The Union is on a six-match unbeaten streak in all competitions and has the unique distinction of being the only MLS team left in the CONCACAF Champions League, which resumes in August. Jim Curtin and his squad will certainly like to finally get a win against the Crew, which Philly hasn’t done since March 2019.
Injuries and Suspensions:
Crew: Artur (right hip), Aidan Morris (left knee), and Bradley Wright-Phillips (right thigh) are OUT. Luis Diaz (right knee), Perry Kitchen (right thigh), and Milton Valenzuela (right thigh) are QUESTIONABLE.
Union: Jack de Vries (concussion protocol), Ilsinho (groin surgery), Anthony Fontana (concussion protocol), and Jose Martinez (international duty) are OUT.
How to watch:
Date: Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Subaru Park - Chester, Pennsylvania
TV: Bally Sports Ohio
Radio: English: 97.1 The Fan - Spanish: Columbus Crew YouTube
Streaming: ESPN+ (out of market)
East Standings:
- New England Revolution (9 GP, 20 pts)
- Orlando City (8 GP, 18 pts)
- Philadelphia Union (9 GP, 15 pts)
- Columbus Crew (8 GP, 14 pts)
Around the league:
The MLS has a full Wednesday of games with 12 matches to watch that evening. The matches that pop off the schedule include the New England Revolution hosting the New York Red Bulls, Atlanta United traveling to the Bronx to face New York City FC, Minnesota United welcoming the Crew’s Sunday opponent, Austin FC, and the league-leading Seattle Sounders facing off with Real Salt Lake.
Last five matches:
April 18, 2021: Columbus Crew 0, Philadelphia Union 0 (Historic Crew Stadium)
November 1, 2020: Columbus Crew 2, Philadelphia Union 1 (Historic Crew Stadium)
September 2, 2020: Columbus Crew 1, Philadelphia Union 0 (Historic Crew Stadium)
September 29, 2019: Columbus Crew 2, Philadelphia Union 0 (Historic Crew Stadium)
March 23, 2019: Philadelphia Union 3, Columbus Crew 0 (Subaru Park)