Philadelphia Union predicted lineup vs Columbus Crew: Leagues Cup 2024
- Philadelphia Union take on Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup semi-final
- Jim Curtin's team claimed a spot in the last four of the competition after taking down Mazatlan
- Samuel Adeniran could be in line for a start at striker due to Tai Baribo's suspension
Philadelphia Union will hope to pull off a huge upset and take down Columbus Crew Wednesday night in a bid to reach the Leagues Cup final.
The Union have endured a rather difficult campaign for their standards in 2024 as Jim Curtin's team sits in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, but as they say, form goes out of the window for tournaments. Despite their struggles in league competition, Philadelphia have managed to reach the Leagues Cup semi-finals while players like Julian Carranza and Jose Martinez left the club in outbound transfers.
You can watch all of the Leagues Cup 2024 action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Curtin will look to utilize his preferred 4-1-2-1-2 setup with Leon Flach sitting just in front of the backline, allowing the likes of Daniel Gazdag and Jack McGlynn to roam free in the final third. With Tai Baribo missing out due to suspension, Samuel Adeniran could be in line for a start up front alongside Mikael Uhre.
Here's how the Union could take the pitch vs Columbus.
Philadelphia Union predicted lineup vs Columbus Crew ( 4-1-2-1-2 )
GK: Andre Blake - The Jamaica international starts in goal once again for Philadelphia as he closes in on 300 appearances for the team.
RB: Nathan Harriel - Harriel is coming off his best performance since returning from the Olympic Games, and the Union will need him to be firing on all cylinders against Columbus' wide players like DeJuan Jones and Max Arfsten.
CB: Jakob Glesnes - The longtime Union defender will have to be careful to pick up another yellow card and risk suspension should his side qualify for the final.
CB: Jack Elliott - Elliott partners Glesnes in the heart of the backline in a bid to defend against the likes of Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi.
LB: Kai Wagner - Wagner fills in at left-back once more, and he'll be vital to the Union's chances of winning.
DM: Leon Flach - Perhaps one of the more underrated players in the Union squad, Flach protects the backline and steps in to make important interceptions and recover any loose balls.
CM: Quinn Sullivan - The 20-year-old has already amassed over 100 appearances for the Eastern Conference team and keeps his place in the side alongside McGlynn.
CM: Jack McGlynn - McGlynn provides stability in the middle of the park and allows Gazdag to shoulder the creative duties in the final third.
AM: Daniel Gazdag - The attacking midfielder will look to put in a similar shift that propelled the Union to the semi-finals after grabbing two assists vs FC Cincinnati in the round of 16.
ST: Mikael Uhre - The former Brondby IF player will hope to make it three goals in as many matches to push his side to the final.
ST: Samuel Adeniran - With Baribo missing out after being sent off against Mazatlan, Adeniran forms the strike partnership with Uhre.