As they prepare for a daunting road trip to face Columbus Crew SC, Philadelphia Union’s head coach, Bradley Carnell, is confident that his team will leave Columbus with something to show for it.
The Union will close out a difficult April on the road on Saturday evening when they face the Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. But despite a challenging start to the 2026 MLS season, Bradley Carnell has made it clear that, rather than break, his group is building something solid ahead of their next game.
In a press conference on the eve of the critical Eastern Conference clash, Carnell struck a balance between tactical respect and raw defiance. While Columbus has shown signs of life after a difficult start to the campaign, the boss insisted his squad is now defined by a different competitive fire.
Philadelphia Union traveled directly from Ontario to Ohio, taking a point from a competitive 3-3 midweek encounter against Toronto FC, which remained unbeaten on home soil. It was a match that summed up Philly's season: brave, full of spirit, yet ultimately undone by a lapse in game management in the closing moments.
The Union saw late ecstasy turn into heartbreak, taking a 3-2 lead in the 89th minute before Toronto equalized in the sixth minute of second-half added time. It marked a second straight draw for a side still finding its footing.
Despite the emotional swing in Ontario, Carnell has seen no drop in resolve. Speaking from Columbus, where the team trained twice since arriving on Thursday, the coach expressed genuine satisfaction with the locker room's mentality.
"I'm happy with the group right now and the competitiveness in the group," Carnell said. "I think we need all bodies tomorrow." - Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell
The Philadelphia Union prepares for its battle with Toronto FC.
Image Provided / Philadelphia Union
With five points from their last three matches, the Union is moving in the right direction, according to the Union coach, who wants that momentum weaponized in Ohio. His blueprint for Columbus was straightforward and aggressive.
"We just have to fight, be combative and compete," he said. "Get numbers around the ball, try and take away their passion." - Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell
The Crew presents a formidable but beatable challenge. And against a side that thrives on building from the back and controlling tempo, disruption, and collective energy could be Philadelphia's most effective tools.
The 2023 MLS Cup champions went winless in their first five matches of the year under Henrik Rydström, who replaced Wilfried Nancy following his departure to coach Celtic FC. His group has found some momentum in April, however, dropping just one of their four MLS matches this month. Most recently, they secured a 2-1 cross-conference win against the LA Galaxy, with goals from Diego Rossi and former Union midfielder Daniel Gazdag.
Currently hovering near the playoff line, Carnell knows his side cannot simply outperform the Crew on the technical side. Instead, the path runs through disruption, physicality, and relentless pursuit of every loose ball. The Union boss emphasized that "we just have to fight, be combative and compete, get numbers around the ball, try and take away their passion." - Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell
