Union open 2023 against Columbus Crew on Saturday

On the surface, Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union had somewhat similar offseasons. Both stuck with some core contributors that they’ll count on for big seasons, though the Crew moved on from some stalwarts as well. Both looked to fortify their roster through careful, under-the-radar moves for players with some question marks but room to grow into bigger roles. And both are continuing to build around a pair of the most dynamic No. 10s in MLS in Daniel Gazdag and Lucas Zelarayan.

But whereas reigning Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year Jim Curtin is back for another season in Philly, the Crew moved on from Caleb Porter and brought in the man that came closest to taking the top coach award from Curtin last season: Wilfried Nancy. 

After revitalizing CF Montreal, Nancy arrives to help inject a style of play into the Crew DNA. Columbus’ General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko built a juggernaut in Toronto with a team of stars surrounded by emerging young talent, and he wants to replicate that success in Ohio. Nancy is a key piece in that transformation, and he has uber-talented attackers Cucho Hernandez and Zelarayan to lead his squad into the future.

Containing these attackers requires organized defense in midfield and a disciplined back line. Hernandez’s quickness pops, but his angles and movement make him a constant threat. While the Crew move the ball and manipulate defenses with veteran Darlington Nagbe and emerging young talent Aiden Morris in midfield, Zelarayan finds gaps in front of the back line and Hernandez lurks in the spaces within it. Losing track of either attacker can lead to the lightning-quick transitions Philly does not want to give up. 

But so many teams want to move the ball in midfield then find attackers in space to disrupt the Union’s organized defensive shape, and so many teams run into, well, a more intelligent defensive setup than they know what to do with. Any thinking and the Union’s midfield is forcing you backwards, and any loose passing from a defender ends up at Gazdag’s feet. The Hungarian is such a joy to watch because he interprets the No. 10 role in a unique way. His early sprayed passes into space mean he does as much of his work off the ball than on it. No attacking midfielder in MLS is better than Gazdag at finishing off transition moves, and the directness with which Mikael Uhre and Julian Carranza allow Philly to attack means tracking the Hungarian star nearly impossible. 

It’s likely that Jim Curtin sticks with a lineup that saw his team go undefeated at home in 2022: A back line of the quietly improving Olivier Mbaizo, MLS Defender of the Year Jakob Glesnes, MLS Defender of the Year candidate Jack Elliott, and MLS Defender of the Year finalist Kai Wagner in front of Andre Blake. Jose Martinez as anchor behind Gazdag, with captain Ale Bedoya and Leon Flach covering ground on the right and left of midfield respectively, all supporting the dangerous Uhre and Carranza. 

But the Union could change personnel and shape depending on opponent this year. Jack McGlynn and Andres Perea are hunting minutes in midfield, with both capable of slotting into Curtin’s diamond or sitting in front of the back five Philly has tested in preseason. Joaquin Torres has arrived from Montreal in hopes of becoming the skeleton key that unlocks deep-sitting clubs afraid of the Union’s transitions. And in back, Damion Lowe and Brandan Craig offer intriguing options for Curtin as ball-playing defenders who can look over the top even when pressed. 

Opening matches are rarely predictive of full season success, but they can provide an emotional boost that helps a confident team learn to lean into what they do well or give a team playing a new style momentum that helps a locker room adapt and jell quickly. 

Philly and Columbus both have believable postseason ambitions, and with a few breaks going their way either club could find themselves on a deep run. For the Crew, a good showing in the playoffs will show impressive progress. For the Union, the next step is the Cup.

Catch all the action at Subaru Park, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET. And watch the match for free on the AppleTV app.