Game 1 of the MLS Cup Playoffs didn’t go the Crew’s way, but this Hell Is Real rivalry series is far from over. We recap Columbus Crew’s 1–0 loss to FC Cincinnati, including lineup decisions, tactical breakdowns, and key moments that shaped the match at TQL Stadium. From scoring struggles and defensive adjustments to how players like Arfsten and Herrera underperformed in key moments, we cover what must change for Columbus to bounce back in Game 2 at Lower.com Field. If you’re a Columbus Crew fan or following the MLS Cup Playoffs, this recap has you covered.
The Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati meet in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for the 2nd ever time. But instead of the Eastern Finals, this time we start with them with a first round tie..and it’s everything we’ve been waiting for! In this episode, the guys break down the massive Hell Is Real showdown: key matchups, where we think we can exploit our neighbors from Kentucky, predictions, and what it’ll take for the Crew to advance. Plus, we give our full predictions for every other first-round playoff series across MLS.
Who’s going home early? Who’s making a Cup run?
#Crew96 #ColumbusCrew #FCCincinnati #HellIsReal #MLSPlayoffs
It was a night of celebration and goodbyes in Columbus. The Crew finished the season with a statement 3-1 win, skipping the Wild Card game and honoring Darlington Nagbe in his final regular season home appearance.Herrera, Gazdag, and Aliyu found the back of the net as Columbus closed strong heading into the playoffs. In this episode, we react to the win, reflect on Nagbe’s impact, and make our first-round MLS playoff predictions.
It’s a massive week for American soccer and Columbus Crew fans alike. We kick things off with the U.S. U20 World Cup run, breaking down their impressive journey and tough quarterfinal loss. From there, we dive into the latest USMNT camp and matches, analyzing key performances and roster trends heading into the next international window. In MLS it’s Decision Day this Saturday as the Columbus Crew close out the regular season. We discuss playoff positioning and the legacy of Darlington Nagbe following his official retirement announcement. And to wrap up, we react to MLS experimenting with AI-generated match recaps and what it means for storytelling, coverage, and the human side of the sport. Spoiler: We aren't fans.
In this episode of 4 The Crew, we connect the dots between club and country as Columbus Crew players earn U.S. national team call-ups at every level — U17, U19, U20, and the full USMNT roster. It’s proof of just how strong the MLS development system has become in Columbus. Then, we dive into a full USMNT roster analysis, breaking down key inclusions, surprise omissions, and what it all means for Mauricio Pochettino and the road to the 2026 World Cup. If you’re a Crew fan, a US soccer supporter, or just love deep, thoughtful soccer talk, this is the episode for you.
It was a night of both encouraging returns and frustrating moments as the Crew drew 1-1 with Orlando City. Herrera’s goal from a sharp Lappalainen assist gave fans something to cheer about, while Schulte giving up a soft goal summed up the team’s defensive woes. One huge positive though was that Rossi and Zawadzki made their returns and helped solidify the team. We also talk about young talents like Picard and Habroune going into next season and what we want to see from them. In summary we recap the match, look ahead to what the Crew roster might need this offseason (and we needs to go), and highlight the positives in an up-and-down performance.
The Columbus Crew are officially playoff bound, but their 2-0 loss to the Chicago Fire might have been their worst performance of the season. On this episode, we recap what went wrong in Chicago and how the team’s form raises questions heading into the postseason. We then preview Saturday’s matchup against Orlando City SC, a team with dangerous attacking threats and a very physical style that will test the Crew’s resilience as they look to bounce back.
The Columbus Crew are three points away from clinching a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs, but the challenge won’t be easy. They face the Chicago Fire, a team fighting for their postseason lives with one of the most dangerous attacks in the Eastern Conference. Add in Columbus’s growing injury crisis, and this matchup becomes a true test of depth, resilience, and composure. We break down the playoff stakes, the key battles on the field, and why this clash could define the Crew’s season.
The Crew’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Toronto FC left fans with plenty to say, so we gave the mic to you. After a short recap of the match, we dive into listener comments about what’s holding the team back, what’s gone wrong during this stretch, and whether anything can change before the season ends. We wrap things up by sharing what we hope to see in the Crew’s last three games of 2025.
The Columbus Crew’s 3-2 loss to NYCFC felt like more than just another defeat it yet again exposed just how shaky this defense has become. On this episode, we break down the chaos at the back, from a tough night for Patrick Schulte to the lack of cohesion across the backline. It wasn’t all bad news, though: Abou Ali impressed again, and Picard showed flashes of promise that could pay off down the stretch. We dig into the tactical decisions, mentality issues, and game flow that defined the night, while asking the bigger question: can the Crew find any defensive stability before the playoff race slips away?
What a wild game! Somehow we were up 5-0 in Atlanta United's backyard by the 40th minute and we were crusing... Final score? 5-4. The most stressful 3 points we’ve ever seen. On the pod we dive into what went right early for the Columbus Crew, how it all started to fall apart, and why this win feels more like a warning sign than a celebration.
Also: If you missed it we got a chance to sit down with Crew legend Frankie Hejduk on our last episode! Definitely go check that out!
Columbus Crew legend Frankie Hejduk joins us for a wide-ranging interview on his playing days, his connection to the city of Columbus, and his take on where the the USMNT needs to improve. We close out the episode with a full preview of the upcoming Atlanta United match, highlighting the storylines, key matchups, and what Columbus needs to get the win. Plus more!
Cameron Fontana returns to the podcast for his second sit down with us, and this time the conversation goes even deeper. We talk Columbus Crew’s 2025 season so far, as Cameron shares his honest but hopeful take on the team’s playoff chances. From the areas where the Crew have fallen short to what needs to change down the stretch, he explains why he still believes Columbus has what it takes to turn things around in MLS.
We also spotlight the USMNT’s upcoming showdown with Japan but instead of a standard match preview, Cameron and Gabe take us inside the cultural side of Japanese soccer. From the values of cleanliness and respect in the locker room to the unmatched fan experience in the stands, we look at how Japan’s approach to the game feels completely unique in the world of soccer.
Finally, the episode also takes a culture turn as Cameron and Gabe, who also lived in Japan for a year, share stories from their time abroad. They dive into Japanese traditions, unforgettable food, language, daily life, and plenty of fun memories. Their back-and-forth brings out a side of both soccer and Japanese culture that you won’t find on most American soccer podcasts. Whether you’re a Columbus Crew fan, a USMNT supporter, fascinated by Japanese culture, or just someone who loves a great story, this episode has something for you.
The Columbus Crew and New York Red Bulls somehow turned 90 minutes of MLS soccer into one of the dullest 0-0 draws of the season. We break down what went wrong, what it means for the Crew’s playoff push, and how the Red Bulls’ style sucked the life out of the match. From there, we switch gears to the Premier League with Matt and Gabe's fandom over there, and a quick update on our MLS fantasy league standings. Plus, stick around to the end as we tease our next two Massive Mic interviews.
The Crew suffered a disappointing home loss to New England but can they bounce back against the Red Bulls this weekend? We preview the matchup, highlight key things to look for, and then we also dive into the latest USMNT roster as the U.S. prepares for South Korea and Japan.
It was supposed to be a bounce-back game against a team in crisis. Instead, the Crew became the Revs’ get-right match. Columbus fell 2-1 at home to a New England side that came in on one of the league’s worst runs of form, making the loss sting even more. On this episode we break down how the game slipped away and dig into the bigger issues that have defined the Crew’s 2025 season.
The Crew are heading into a matchup with a Revolution team in complete collapse...1 win in 11, 2 in 17. Will Columbus take full advantage, or is this a trap game? We break it all down and also take you around MLS to review the biggest transfer window moves as rosters get locked for the playoff push.
This week on the 4 The Crew Podcast we dive into the Columbus Crew’s frustrating 1-1 draw in Toronto and what it means moving forward. We also take a step outside MLS to discuss the opening weekend of the English Premier League season. Plus, we’re joined by a special guest CrewRhino (Ben) who brings his perspective and passion for the Black & Gold to the conversation.
Saturday’s game against Toronto marks the Crew’s return to action after the Leagues Cup break. We discuss the matchup, team form, and what the Black & Gold need to get the result on the road.
Also: Matt and Gabe discuss the beginning of the EPL season for the clubs they follow across the pond!
It’s report card time again. In Part 2 of our Crew midseason grades, we evaluate who we think were the 5 best players up to this point and also have an extensive conversation on what Nancy brings to the team and how the players have to work in sync with him to be succesful!
