The Philadelphia Union is the worst team in MLS through 13 matches. They have won just once (on the road at Montreal), have played to three draws (two of which were 0-0 contests), and have lost nine games (the most of any team in MLS this season). Now, with two games left before almost a two-month break for the World Cup, Philly has its back against the wall.
Two points and two goals. The Union has taken only two points and scored two goals in their five home games this season. Fans have had to see their team score goals on the road in thrilling matches, only for their club to usually draw or lose all three points late on. This has been the worst season start for Philly ever, and now they have to face a team that has seen a bit of a dip as well, in the Columbus Crew.
These two teams have met once already this season in Columbus. It was a game in which the Union was tormented early. Their tactic of hoof the ball up the field and getting their lines high up the pitch backfired after losing a header. Allowing Max Arfsten to cook the spread Philly back line for a goal in the fifth minute. The Crew scored a second goal after a strong attack that led to a Union own goal. The match ended 2-0, and it laid the blueprint for how Columbus will play Philly in the return matchup.
The Columbus Crew has been a club in flux since their highly touted coach, Wilfred Nancy, left after the 2025 season. Henrik Rydström came in to replace Nancy and promised not to change too much of the Crew's free-flowing style, but his team has looked like a shell of the strong teams Nancy led in playoff runs and in games for trophies.
Columbus has three wins, three draws, and seven losses in 2026. Their star players, Diego Rossi (5 goals), Wessam Abou Ali (5 goals), and Max Arfsten (4 goals), have led their attack, but they have scored only 4 goals outside those players. Unfortunately for them, Abou Ali is out again with an injury, a huge blow to their attack. Their defense has not been stellar, giving up 22 goals over 13 games. Rydström likes to set his team up in a classic 4-4-2 to try to help with organization, but that has not paid off for most of this season.
Being in 13th place with two matches before the World Cup break is not ideal, but unlike Philly, Columbus has the chance to climb the standings with one or two wins. The Crew is one win away from ninth place and a playoff spot. Their last two matches are against the Philadelphia Union and Atlanta United, both of whom sit below them in the standings. One thing that could throw a wrench into Columbus going all out in both matches and getting back in the mix for Eastern Conference playoff spots is their midweek US Open Cup quarterfinal that is sandwiched between games. Could that mean they rest some starters against the Union this Saturday?
Bradley Carnell and his Philadelphia Union are struggling; not only are they the worst team in MLS, but they also have an injury bug. Three players who were holding down starting spots before their injuries, Jesus Bueno (ankle), Japhey Sery Larson (shoulder), and Frankie Westfield (hip), are all out this weekend against the Crew. With that, and the form of other players in the squad, Carnell has leaned on some young players and moved some players out of position to create his starting XI.
Philadelphia Union projected Starting XI
GK: Blake
LB: Bender CB: Makhanya CB: Martínez RB: Harriel
DM: Lukic DM: Jean Jacques
We will see whether Bradley Carnell goes with these guys or tries to shake things up again. There's been almost no consistency in the starting group because the results have been so negative. One thing is certain: the main bright spot on this team is a teenager who is coming into his own, Cavan Sullivan. Can he build off of his goal and assist performance in the midweek 4-3 loss at Orlando? Let's see if he can will the Union to their first home win of 2026.
The Philadelphia Union are on pace for the worst season in MLS history. After 13 matches, they sit on a points-per-game of 0.46. The current holders of the worst season ever are the 2013 DC United side, which finished its 34-game season with 0.47 points per game. The outlook is bleaker than bleak, but the writing is on the wall: this team is bad and on the verge of losing everything.
"We’ve got to believe. We shouldn’t just do things. We have to believe it. This is the plea to the guys to continue to believe.” - Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell
It's hard to say that this game against the Crew is a must-win when almost every game since the start of April has been a must-win. However, this one really seems like it could be the tipping point. Three points won't move the Union out of last place in the East, but they could be enough to restore the belief coach Carnell is asking for. Belief won't save Carnell's job; wins will, so can the Union win this one?
Over the last few matches, Philly has been in every game but hasn't earned the points needed to win. If they want to do so against Columbus, they will need to stop Arfsten from running down their left flank and Diego Rossi from bossing the middle of the field. No more dump-and-run tactics that resulted in the two goals in the previous match against the Crew. Instead, play through Sullivan, Jean Jacques, and Iloski to create movement upfront and out wide. If they do that, maybe the fans could see a few goals for their team in this one.
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