Our prediction for this MLS match:
Philadelphia Union
Match Time & Date:
26/02/2023
01:30
Prediction: 2-0
Columbus Crew
Philadelphia Union and Columbus Crew face each other at Subaru Park in the opening match of the season. The U’s impressed in their last pre-season match, with the team rolling over Colorado Rapids 4-1, and they are likely to stick to their attacking style of play. A man to watch in the home team will be Denmark international Mikael Uhre, who is likely to prove a handful for the opposition defenders.
The visitors, on the other hand, played only two pre-season games, with the team sharing the spoils with Houston Dynamo, while beating Hartford Athletic, but they will have a mountain to climb in Sunday’s encounter as over the years Philadelphia have turned their Subaru Park into a real fortress. New signing Jimmy Medranda is likely to make his Columbus debut against the U’s. In their last meeting at the venue Philadelphia defeated Columbus thanks to Eloy Room’s own-goal.
Highlighted Player (Andre Blake):
Andre Blake is a Jamaican goalkeeper who plays for MLS club Philadelphia Union. Blake was born in May Pen, Jamaica, on November 21, 1990, but he went to the UConn college in United States of America. The 193-cm-tall shoot-stopper spent three years playing college football and in 2014 he signed a professional contract with Philadelphia Union.
Andre Blake made his debut for the U in July 2014 in a friendly game against Crystal Palace and he played his first MLS match against Montreal Impact. Speaking of his international career, the goalkeeper made his Jamaica debut on March 2, 2014 in a 2-0 victory over Barbados. Later that year Andre Blake won the Caribbean Cup with the Reggae Boyz as they defeated Trinidad and Tobago on penalties in the title game.
Over the years Blake has established himself as a first-team regular and, no doubt, there is a bright future ahead of him. The Philadelphia Union shoot-stopper wears the number 18 on his shirt.
Highlighted Team (Columbus Crew):
Columbus Crew are an American soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio. The Black & Gold participate in the Eastern Conference and in 2008 they won both the conference and the MLS CUP final. Columbus Crew defeated New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup final, with the likes of Moreno, Marshall and Hejduk scoring for the Black & Gold in the title game.
The club welcome their rivals at Mapfre Stadium, the venue which was opened on May, 15 1999. The current capacity of the stadium is 19.968 and it has to be noted that Mapfre Stadium is the first soccer-specific venue ever built for a MLS club.
A number of high-profile players were part of Columbus Crew in the past, but Guillermo Barros Schelotto is the most famous footballer that wore the black and yellow shirt. Schelotto played for Columbus Crew from 2007 to 2010 and during his spell with the Mapfre Stadium outfit the Black & Gold won the aforementioned MLS Cup.
Man City 
Everton
Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 
Chelsea 
Fulham
Newcastle 
Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 
Tottenham
Southampton 
West Ham 
