COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 18, 2021) – The Philadelphia Union opened the new MLS season earning a point on the road Sunday night against the Columbus Crew SC. The Union defense and goalkeeper Andre Blake held the reigning MLS Cup champions to a scoreless draw, with Blake registering five saves. The shutout marks the Union’s first of the MLS season and Andre Blake’s 39th shutout of his MLS career. The Union had 15 total shots, registering five on goal but were unable to find the back of the net in a defensive game. Team captain Alejandro Bedoya made his 125th MLS appearance for Philadelphia Union while Leon Flach earned his first MLS start after starting both of the Union’s CCL contests. The Union are home at Subaru Park on April 24 where they will face Inter Miami. (8:00 p.m. ET / PHL17).

Philadelphia Union 0 – Columbus Crew SC 0
Historic Crew Stadium (Columbus, OH) 
Sunday, April 18, 2021

MATCH INFO

Referee: Fotis Bazakos

Assistant Referees: Brian Poeschel, Peter Manikowski

Fourth Official: Lukasz Szpala

VAR: Malik Badawi

Ast. VAR: Michael Kampmeinert

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

PHI – Jakob Glesnes (caution) 40’

CLB – Luis Diaz (caution) 56’

PHI – Jamiro Monteiro (caution) 61’

CLB – Perry Kitchen (caution) 63’

PHI – Sergio Santos (caution) 75’

PHI – Alejandro Bedoya (caution) 89’

LINEUP

Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake; Kai Wagner, Jack Elliott, Jakob Glesnes, Olivier Mbaizo; Jose “El Brujo” Martinez, Leon Flach, Alejandro Bedoya, Jamiro Monteiro; Anthony Fontana (Sergio Santos 62’), Kacper Przybylko.

Substitutes not used: Matt Freese, Matt Real, Nathan Harriel, Aurelien Collin, Stuart Findlay, Paxten Aaronson, Jack McGlynn, Quinn Sullivan

Columbus Crew SC: EloyRoom; Milton Valenzuela, Josh Williams, Jonathan Mensah, Harrison Afful; Perry Kitchen, Artur, Pedro Santos (Alexandru Matan 88’), Lucas Zelarryan, Luis Díaz Espinoza (Derrick Etienne 65’); Gyasi Zardes (Bradley Wright-Phillips 84’)

Substitutes not used: Matt Lampson; Saad Abdul-Salaam, Aboubacar Keita, Waylon Francis; Isaiah Parente; Miguel Berry

TEAM NOTES

• Goalkeeper Andre Blake made his 205th career MLS start, all for the Union. Blake is now 2-3-3 all-time against Crew SC with three clean sheets. The clean sheet is the 39th of his MLS career.
• Left back Kai Wagner made his 45th career MLS start.
• Both Union center backs celebrated milestones with Jack Elliott making his 90th career start while Jakob Glesnes’ start marks his 20th MLS appearance
• In the midfield Leon Flach earned his first MLS start after starting both of the Union’s CCL contests.
• El Brujo Martinez made his 15th start for the Union.
• Team captain Alejandro Bedoya made his 125th MLS appearance for Philadelphia Union.
• Homegrown Anthony Fontana makes his 8th MLS start. 
• Forward Kacper Przybylko made 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.

COURTESY PHILADELPHIA UNION COMMUNICATIONS