The Columbus Crew opened up the 2023 season with a 4-1 loss to the defending Eastern Conference champions, the Philadelphia Union. The Black & Gold went up 1-0 in the first half due to a Union own goal, but the home side rattled off four unanswered goals, including two controversial penalty kicks, to take all three points. Columbus looked strong in the first half, but lost momentum in the second, allowing Philadelphia to take control.
This game marked the beginning of the Wilfried Nancy era in Columbus, and with that comes a new set of tactics.