4 The Crew Podcast

Decision Day is almost here, and we're bringing in a special guest to help break it all down!

Matt and Gabe are joined by David Gass from Soccerwise for an in-depth preview of the Columbus Crew's regular-season finale against the Chicago Fire and a look at how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket could take shape.

With Columbus riding an incredible late-season surge, the conversation begins with the Crew's transformation. Then it's time to dissect Chicago.

How dangerous are Robert Lewandowski, Philip Zinckernagel, and Jonathan Bamba? Where are the Fire vulnerable defensively? And how can Columbus take advantage of the matchup?

The discussion expands across the Eastern Conference. From Cincinnati and Philadelphia to Miami, Charlotte, Orlando, and New England, the playoff picture could look very different by the end of Decision Day.

Can the Crew avoid the Wild Card? Who gets the most favorable postseason draw? And just how dangerous is this Columbus team heading into the playoffs?

Join Matt, Gabe, and David Gass for a full episode of tactical analysis, predictions, and MLS Decision Day discussion.

From last place in the Eastern Conference to the MLS Cup Playoffs. What a difference two months can make.

Matt, Gabe, and Sam are back to celebrate Columbus' 3-0 victory over D.C. United and break down one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Crew history.

Sean Zawadzki and Anass Zaroury found the net, Dylan Chambost delivered two assists, and the Black & Gold extended their winning streak to five matches.

But the biggest story goes far beyond one result.

After collecting just 20 points in their first 22 matches, Columbus has earned 24 points in the next 11. The attack is producing more, the defense is conceding less, and a team that looked destined to miss the playoffs has completely transformed its season.

So what changed?

The guys take a statistical deep dive into Laurent Courtois' tactical adjustments, the Moreira-Zawadzki-Amundsen defensive combination, Patrick Schulte's performances, the impact of new additions, and the development of the Crew's attacking identity.

We also discuss the questions that remain, including Brais Méndez's fitness and whether this remarkable run of form can translate into postseason success.

The Crew are going to the playoffs. Now it's time to find out just how dangerous this team can be.

Four straight wins. Another clean sheet. And the Columbus Crew are back above the playoff line as the most in-form team over the past 7 matches in all of MLS!

Matt, Gabe, and Sam break down Columbus' massive 2-0 road victory over FC Dallas, where Gonzalo Tapia and Santiago Rodríguez found the net and Patrick Schulte helped shut down one of the Western Conference's top teams.

The guys discuss the remarkable turnaround since the World Cup, the improvement of the Amundsen-Moreira-Zawadzki back line, and whether the Crew's recent defensive performances are a sign of genuine progress.

Is this finally a complete Crew team? How much credit does Laurent Courtois deserve for the transformation? And can Columbus maintain its momentum despite a grueling schedule?

Then it's time to look ahead to D.C. United. With two regular-season matches remaining and Columbus sitting in a playoff position, the stakes couldn't be much higher.

From nine points out of the playoff picture to fighting for a postseason berth, the Black & Gold have given supporters plenty to believe in.

From Open Cup heartbreak to four goals against Toronto, it's been another emotional week for Columbus Crew supporters.

Matt, Jay, Gabe, and Sam are back to unpack the Crew's Open Cup Final defeat to St. Louis CITY SC, including Jay's first experience of a packed stadium for a final, an electric atmosphere, and his first live penalty shootout.

Then, the guys turn their attention to Columbus' 4-2 victory over Toronto FC. Is this the response Crew fans needed, and is this team able to continue its late playoff push??

Finally, it's time to look ahead to FC Dallas and discuss what Columbus needs to do to turn another good performance into sustained momentum.

Heartbreak. Hope. Frustration. Optimism. Just another week supporting the Black & Gold.

4 The Crew went LIVE from Retro Screamers on the eve of the U.S. Open Cup Final! Matt, Gabe, Brian, and Jay got together in Columbus for a special episode packed with soccer culture, rivalry bragging rights, and cup final anticipation.

First, the guys sit down with Josh, owner of Retro Screamers, to talk about his store, vintage soccer kits, and the culture behind collecting football shirts.

Then it's time to celebrate taking down FC Cincinnati in the Hell Is Real Derby! The crew breaks down the rivalry win, the biggest moments, and what the result means heading into one of the biggest matches of the season.

Finally, the focus shifts to St. Louis CITY SC and the U.S. Open Cup Final. What does Columbus need to do to lift the trophy? What should fans be watching for? And can the Black & Gold finish the job?

Recorded live at Retro Screamers the night before the final, this is 4 The Crew with the energy, opinions, and optimism of a fanbase ready for another trophy.

23 shots in the first half. 3 goals. 3 points. The Columbus Crew's attack came to life in a wild 3-1 victory over Charlotte FC!

Matt and Gabe break down one of the Crew's most relentless attacking performances of the season, as Columbus responded to an early setback by absolutely peppering Charlotte's goal with chances.

From Brais Mendez's clinical finish to Zaroury's breakthrough goal, the guys discuss the attacking combinations, individual performances, and mentality that helped Columbus take control of the match.

Matt and Gabe discuss the chances Columbus conceded, whether the back line can be trusted, and what still needs to improve as the season approaches its most important stretch.

Is the Crew's attack finally clicking at the right time? Or is it too little too late?

The Columbus Crew’s trip to Orlando ended in a frustrating 3-2 defeat, leaving plenty of questions for the Black & Gold.

Matt and Gabe break down the Crew’s disastrous start, Taha Habroune’s equalizer, and the attacking moments that showed what this team can do. But defensive mistakes and questions surrounding Patrick Schulte’s performance ultimately overshadowed the positives.

Should Schulte have done better on Griezmann’s free kick? Are the center backs still a major concern? And how can Columbus turn flashes of attacking brilliance into consistent results?

We dig into what went wrong, what actually worked, and what this performance tells us about the Crew moving forward.

Subscribe to 4 The Crew Podcast for honest, fan-driven Columbus Crew analysis, match reactions, and all the latest conversations surrounding the Black & Gold.

The USMNT is riding high after a perfect four-match international window, and Matt and Gabe are back with a quick 20-minute episode!First, the guys break down the USMNT's four straight wins, the performances that stood out, and what this run could mean for the team's future.

Then, attention turns back to Columbus as they preview the upcoming matchup against Orlando City SC.

To wrap things up, it's time for Keep 4, Cut 4: Crew Legends Edition! Four stay, four gotta go!

A little USMNT talk, a Crew preview, and a fun game to end it. Let's get into it. Be sure to follow to never miss an episode!

THREE STRAIGHT WINS.

Remember when the season felt completely lost?

Matt, Gabe, Sam, and Brian are finally getting to enjoy some good vibes as the Columbus Crew defeat Inter Miami 2-1 to make it three straight wins in all competitions.

After beating Orlando City in the US Open Cup semifinal, taking down CF Montréal in Canada, and now defeating Miami, the Crew have suddenly put together their best run of form in a long time.

And this one felt different.

The guys break down the 2-1 victory over Miami, the Crew's lineup and growing depth, the midfield performances from Santi Rodríguez and Brais Méndez, Anass' continued emergence, and how Columbus was able to exploit Miami's goalkeeping issues.

We also talk about the biggest question coming out of the match:

How can this team look so good now after everything we've watched earlier this season?

The Crew finally have some momentum.

The question now is whether they can keep it going.