After a much-needed win on the road against the New England Revolution, Columbus Crew SC returns to MAPFRE Stadium for a two-match homestand on Wednesday, starting with the Philadelphia Union — presented by OhioHealth — for the last of three regular-season meetings between the two clubs.
WATCH: Matchday+
The last two meetings between the Black & Gold and the Philadelphia Union have seen Crew SC lose by just a goal. The first match, on March 12, saw the Union leave Columbus with three points via its 2-1 victory. The second matchup, on June 1, saw Crew SC travel to Talen Energy Stadium in another close match with a final score of 3-2.
Despite claiming three points last week in a 3-0 shutout against the Revs, the Black & Gold are not basking in their glory. Midfielder Justin Meram emphasized that the win was great but the team has to focus on the match in front of them.
“We need to put that behind us, and really embrace the game at home against Philly because the last four home games have been ties — and we really need to turn the page with that and get a big win,” Meram says. “Our fans are going to be with us — which is nice — we need to score first, and then duplicate it with another goal to end the game.”
THREE THINGS TO KNOW: The Union
Since Crew SC last played Philly in June, the Union has added USMNT midfielder Alejandro Bedoyo who could pose a threat to the Black & Gold on the pitch. Despite his addition Meram says that Crew SC is still focused on playing against Philadelphia as a whole.
“He is an experienced player with a lot of international experience as well, so he’s obviously a quality player," he says. "He hasn’t been in the League much, but that’s not our focus; our focus — overall — is as a whole.”
GET HYPED: #CLBvPHI
With threats like CJ Sapong and Tranquillo Barnetta on the forefront, Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter expects the same dominant Philadelphia Union team that Crew SCsaw earlier this season.
“I think from their side, they added Bedoya, who is a quality player," Berhalter says. "Other than that, it’s very similar in terms of what they’ve been doing all year with Sapong up top. They have talented players behind him with Illsino and Barnetta, Bedoya makes a good difference there as well; It’s a solid team, a solid group.”
MATCHNOTES: #CLBvPHI
With Philly returning to MAPFRE Stadium with a win this season, the Black & Gold are looking for revenge and a little bit of redemption says midfielder Mohammed Saeid.
“They have a good team, and have shown they have a good team,” Saeid says. “We’ve played them before, and they beat us, so we’re looking to win, to get revenge. They’re a good team — and you have to respect that — but they are coming to our home and we just have to take care of it.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Be sure to tune in to MyTV Columbus, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and BCSN2, as well as CD 102.5 FM in English and to La Mega 103.1 to listen to the match in Spanish.
