Explore My Football Facts' detailed preview for Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew in the Major League Soccer. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 00:30 BST match.
Fixture Information
| Fixture | Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew |
|---|---|
| Competition | Major League Soccer |
| Date | Sunday, 17 May 2026 |
| Kick-off | 00:30 BST |
| Venue | Subaru Park |
Match Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2-1 Columbus Crew
Prediction Stats
Fulltime Result Probability
Both Teams To Score Probability
Over/Under 2.5 Probability
Last 5 Meetings
| League | Date | Match | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Soccer | 26 Apr 2026 |  Columbus Crew vs  Philadelphia Union |
2 – 0 | Historic Crew Stadium |
| Major League Soccer | 29 Jun 2025 | Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union |
1 – 0 | Lower.com Field |
| Major League Soccer | 11 May 2025 | Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew |
2 – 2 | Subaru Park |
| Major League Soccer | 06 Oct 2024 | Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union |
3 – 2 | Lower.com Field |
| Major League Soccer | 29 Aug 2024 | Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew |
0 – 1 | Subaru Park |
Philadelphia Union come into this one on the back of a mixed run, but they have been competitive enough at home to suggest they can make this a tight contest. Columbus Crew have already beaten Philadelphia Union 2-0 in the recent head-to-head and have the more convincing recent win in that matchup, yet their own form has also included two straight defeats. With no xG data available, the clearest read is that this could be decided by small margins rather than sustained control.
Philadelphia Union’s 4-4-2 gives them a straightforward shape with two forwards to keep Columbus Crew’s back line occupied and midfield runners to support from deeper areas. Columbus Crew’s own 4-4-2 should keep the game balanced, but their recent results suggest they have been more vulnerable when matches open up. Match Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2-1 Columbus Crew
Form Guide & Team Overview
Philadelphia Union
Philadelphia Union’s recent league form shows a side that has been hard to beat in stretches but has struggled to turn draws into wins. Their last five league matches include one loss, two draws and two more draws before that, with the most recent home outing ending 0-0 against Nashville SC.
The bigger concern is that they have lost two of their last three, including the 1-2 defeat away to New England and the 0-2 loss away to Columbus Crew. Even so, the 3-3 draw away to Toronto shows they can still find goals, which keeps them in the conversation for a competitive home performance.
Philadelphia Union Last 5 Results
| League | Date | Match | Score | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Soccer | 9 May 2026 |  New England vs Philadelphia Union |
2 – 1 | L | Gillette Stadium |
| Major League Soccer | 2 May 2026 | Philadelphia Union vs  Nashville SC |
0 – 0 | D | Subaru Park |
| Major League Soccer | 25 Apr 2026 | Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union |
2 – 0 | L | Historic Crew Stadium |
| Major League Soccer | 22 Apr 2026 |  Toronto vs Philadelphia Union |
3 – 3 | D | BMO Field |
| Major League Soccer | 18 Apr 2026 | Philadelphia Union vs  DC United |
0 – 0 | D | Subaru Park |
Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew’s recent league form is less stable, with two defeats in their last two matches and three losses in their last five. They were beaten 0-3 away to New York City after a 2-3 home loss to Minnesota United, which points to a side that has been conceding too many goals.
Before that dip, they did beat Philadelphia Union 2-0 at home and also saw off LA Galaxy 2-1, so there is still evidence of a team capable of producing results. The issue is consistency, and the recent run suggests they have not been able to sustain that level across consecutive matches.
Columbus Crew Last 5 Results
| League | Date | Match | Score | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major League Soccer | 10 May 2026 |  New York City vs Columbus Crew |
3 – 0 | L | Yankee Stadium |
| Major League Soccer | 2 May 2026 | Columbus Crew vs  Minnesota United |
2 – 3 | L | Historic Crew Stadium |
| Major League Soccer | 25 Apr 2026 | Columbus Crew vs Philadelphia Union |
2 – 0 | W | Historic Crew Stadium |
| Major League Soccer | 23 Apr 2026 | Columbus Crew vs  LA Galaxy |
2 – 1 | W | Historic Crew Stadium |
| Major League Soccer | 18 Apr 2026 | New England vs Columbus Crew |
2 – 1 | L | Gillette Stadium |
Team News & Injury Report
Philadelphia Union
- Jesús Bueno (Ankle Injury)
Columbus Crew
- Jamal Thiaré (Calf Injury)
Lineups & Tactical Setup
Philadelphia Union (4-4-2)
Predicted lineup: Andre Blake (Goalkeeper), Frankie Westfield (Defender), Geiner Martínez (Defender), Nathan Harriel (Defender), Olwethu Makhanya (Defender), Cavan Sullivan (Midfielder), Danley Jean Jacques (Midfielder), Indiana Vassilev (Midfielder), Jovan Lukić (Midfielder), Ezekiel Alladoh (Attacker), Milan Iloski (Attacker)
Philadelphia Union’s predicted 4-4-2 should give them a compact base, with the wide midfielders helping to support both the full-backs and the two strikers. That shape can also allow Ezekiel Alladoh and Milan Iloski to stay close enough to combine quickly if Philadelphia Union win the ball in central areas.
Columbus Crew (4-4-2)
Predicted lineup: Patrick Schulte (Goalkeeper), Andrés Herrera (Defender), Rudy Camacho (Defender), Sean Zawadzki (Defender), Steven Moreira (Defender), André Gomes (Midfielder), Dylan Chambost (Midfielder), Hugo Picard (Midfielder), Max Arfsten (Midfielder), Diego Rossi (Attacker), Taha Habroune (Attacker)
Columbus Crew’s predicted 4-4-2 offers a similar balance, with Diego Rossi and Taha Habroune providing the main threat up front. The midfield four should help them stay organised, but they will need clean service into the forwards to make the shape count.
Key Battles & Players to Watch
| Philadelphia Union | Columbus Crew | Key Battle Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Union | Columbus Crew | Ezekiel Alladoh against Andrés Herrera could be important because Philadelphia Union will want their forward to stretch the right side of the Columbus Crew defence. |
| Philadelphia Union | Columbus Crew | Cavan Sullivan against André Gomes is a key midfield duel because both sides will need control in central areas to build attacks. |
| Philadelphia Union | Columbus Crew | Ezekiel Alladoh is key for Philadelphia Union because he gives them a direct attacking option in a 4-4-2 and can help turn pressure into chances. |
| Philadelphia Union | Columbus Crew | Diego Rossi is key for Columbus Crew because he is one of their main attacking outlets and a central part of their recent goal threat. |
FAQs
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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.
