Philadelphia Union looks to open the 2021 Major League Soccer calendar with a road results as the defending Supporters' Shield Winners face off against 2020 MLS Cup Winners, Columbus Crew SC. Kick off from Historic Crew Stadium is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET and can be viewed on FS1, Fox Deportes. Fans can also click here to listen to the Union's radio broadcast via FOX The Gambler as well as 102.5 FM, 104.5 HD2, the iHeart App and 1480 AM.
STARTING XI
Andre Blake; Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo; Jose "El Brujo" Martinez, Leon Flach, Alejandro Bedoya, Jamiro Monteiro; Anthony Fontana, Kacper Przybylko.
BENCH
Matt Freese, Matt Real, Nathan Harriel, Aurelien Collin, Stuart Findlay, Paxten Aaronson, Jack McGlynn, Quinn Sullivan, Sergio Santos.
NOTES
- Head Coach Jim Curtin makes no changes to the Starting XI group that defeated Deportivo Saprissa in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League by a 5-0 aggregate score.
- Goalkeeper Andre Blake makes his 205th career MLS start, all for the Union. Blake the 2-3-2 all-time against Crew SC with two clean sheets.
- Left back Kai Wagner makes his 45th career MLS Start for the Boys in Blue.
- Both Union center backs celebrate milestones with Jack Elliott making his 90th career start while Jakob Glesnes' start marks his 20th MLS appearance.
- In the midfield Leon Flach earns his first MLS start after starting both of the Union's CCL contests.
- El Brujo Martinez makes his 15th start for the Union.
- Team captain Alejandro Bedoya makes his 125th MLS appearance for Philadelphia Union.
- Homegrown Anthony Fontana makes his 7th MLS start. Fontana has scored a goal in four of his six previous MLS starts.
- Forward Kacper Przybylko makes his 50th career appearance for the Union.
- Homegrowns Nathan Harriel, Paxten Aaronson, Jack McGlynn, Quinn Sullivan as well as offseason signing Stuart Findlay all make the matchday roster for the first time in their MLS careers.