Coming off the heels of a disappointing loss in Montreal, the Philadelphia Union heads to Ohio for the first of two face-offs with the Columbus Crew in the next week.
Though the playoffs are still in the distance of the MLS calendar, the doubleheader series against Columbus will be a pivotal stretch for the Union’s shot at the playoffs. Columbus has hovered just under the red line, ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference. A set of victories — one on the road on Saturday, and one at home next Wednesday — could tip the scales for a shorthanded Union team struggling to clinch wins.