{"id":7001,"date":"2026-05-15T05:51:22","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T09:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?post_type=news&p=7001"},"modified":"2026-05-27T12:05:05","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T16:05:05","slug":"match-preview-philadelphia-union-vs-columbus-crew-05-16-26-mls","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/match-preview-philadelphia-union-vs-columbus-crew-05-16-26-mls\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Stats"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Two teams in matching freefall meet at Subaru Park on Saturday, May 16, at 7:30 PM ET, with the Philadelphia Union dead last in the Eastern Conference and the Columbus Crew not far above them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew prediction starts with a simple fact: between them, the two have just four wins from 26 combined MLS matches this season. The Union sit 15th and last in the East on six points from 13 games, with a goal difference of -10. The Crew are 13th on 12 points, conceding in each of their last three.<\/p>\n

Both teams arrived here off losses on May 13 \u2014 Philadelphia shipped four at Orlando City in a 4-3 defeat, Columbus gave up three at New York Red Bulls. Anyone backing a tidy, low-scoring evening at bet365<\/a> probably hasn’t watched either side this month.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew: Best Bets & Predictions<\/h2>\n

The angle here is goals. Over 2.5 goals has been a lifestyle, not a quirk for these sides; both defenses are leaking; both attacks have been functional enough to find the net even in defeat. Stack the goals markets, hedge the result.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Our Prediction<\/th>\nOdds & Sportsbook<\/th>\nConfidence<\/th>\nWhy We’re Backing It<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Over 2.5 Goals<\/strong><\/td>\n-118 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nThree of Philadelphia’s last five and four of Columbus’s last five have cleared 2.5. The Union have conceded 23 in 13 games; the Crew have shipped 22.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Both Teams to Score: Yes<\/strong><\/td>\n-150 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nBoth teams have scored in three of each side’s last five. Both attacks landed in their May 13 defeats.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Columbus Crew to Win<\/strong><\/td>\n+200 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nThe Crew won the April 25 meeting 2-0 in Ohio and have four wins from the last five H2H games. Even mid-slump, they outscore the Union 18 to 13 on the season.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Correct Score 2-1 Columbus Crew<\/strong><\/td>\n+800 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nThree of the last four H2H meetings have produced a winner by a single goal. The Crew’s record on the road is thin this year, but Philadelphia’s home record of no wins in five is even thinner.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diego Rossi<\/strong> to Score Anytime<\/td>\nLines opening soon @ bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\nColumbus’ joint-leading scorer with five goals in 13 matches, 11 shots on target. Found the net at NYRB on May 13.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Our approach: start with Over 2.5 as the anchor, add BTTS for parlay potential, then layer Rossi anytime if you want a bit of variance. The result line is genuinely live \u2014 the draw is in play given how both defences travel.<\/p>\n

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.<\/small><\/p>\n\n

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\n\t\t\t \n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"bet365<\/a>\t\t\t\t
\n \n Bet365<\/a> <\/span>\n \n First Bet Safety Net – Get Up To $1,000 in Bonus Bets<\/a> <\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n First Bet Safety Net – Get Up To $1,000 in Bonus Bets<\/a> <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\tGet Offer<\/a>
\n Our Score<\/span>\n 9.5<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Read our review<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t

Deposit required. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n

Prediction Markets: Live Odds & Win Probability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Note for US readers:<\/strong> Polymarket is now live for real-money trading in the US following its 2025 acquisition of QCX, a CFTC-regulated exchange, available in most states except Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada and Ohio. New US users can claim a 100% deposit match up to $50 with code ACQUIRE05. Market prices shown are real-money figures from the Polymarket platform. Kalshi<\/a>, also CFTC-regulated, trades in all 50 states.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

Match-specific prediction market pricing for Philadelphia Union vs Columbus Crew has not yet surfaced at the time of writing. The sportsbook read is the cleaner tool for this match. We’ll update here if and when Kalshi<\/a> or Polymarket<\/a> list the fixture.<\/p>\n\n

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\n\t\t\t \n\t\t CODE: ACQUIRE05<\/span>\n\t\t
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/a>\t\t\t\t
\n \n Polymarket<\/a> <\/span>\n \n 100% up to $50 with Code: ACQUIRE05<\/a> <\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n 100% up to $50 with Code: ACQUIRE05<\/a> <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\tTRADE NOW!<\/a>
\n Our Score<\/span>\n 8.5<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Read our review<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t

18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading involves high risk and may result in loss of your entire investment. See <\/i>polymarket.us\/tos<\/a><\/span><\/i>\u00a0for more information. The Polymarket US App serves as an independent software provider and affiliate of Polymarket US and Polymarket Clearing, the CFTC-regulated derivatives exchange and clearing organization<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t <\/div>\n \n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Kalshi\"<\/a>\t\t\t\t
\n \n Kalshi<\/a> <\/span>\n \n Trade $10, Get $10 Bonus<\/a> <\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Trade $10, Get $10 Bonus<\/a> <\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n\t\t\t\tTrade Markets<\/a>
\n Our Score<\/span>\n 9.5<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Read our review<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t

21+ only. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2573). Chat available at\u00a0ncpgambling.org\/chat<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n

Season Form & Standings<\/h2>\n

The Eastern Conference picture<\/a> tells the simpler story: Columbus sit 13th on 12 points, the Union dead last in 15th on six. Both are well off the top-nine playoff cut-off, and both have surrendered 22+ goals through 13 games. For Philadelphia, every dropped point now narrows the road back into the MLS playoff race<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Team<\/th>\nPos<\/th>\nGP<\/th>\nW<\/th>\nD<\/th>\nL<\/th>\nGF<\/th>\nGA<\/th>\nGD<\/th>\nPts<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Columbus Crew<\/strong><\/td>\n13<\/td>\n13<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n18<\/td>\n22<\/td>\n-4<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Philadelphia Union<\/strong><\/td>\n15<\/td>\n13<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n9<\/td>\n13<\/td>\n23<\/td>\n-10<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n