4 The Crew Podcast

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.