4 The Crew Podcast

S2 Ep29: Columbus Crew vs NYCFC Open Cup QF Recap

Just days after the Crew fired Henrik Rydström, interim head coach Laurent Courtois stepped into his first match against the same New York City FC side that embarrassed Columbus 3-0 not long ago. This time? The Crew responded with a strong 1-0 win and one of their best overall performances in weeks. Matt and Gabe break down the tactical changes under Courtois, why the team looked more alive and connected, whether this can actually spark a turnaround, and what still needs work moving forward. It was only one game… but Crew fans got something to feel GOOD about going forward.

S2 Ep28: Rydstrom SACKED - The End of the Shortest Era in Crew History

The Columbus Crew have officially pulled the trigger. Henrik Rydström is OUT. We originally recorded a completely different episode for this one but had to start from scratch after the news dropped. After a incredibly rough start to the season filled with flat performances, tactical confusion, dropped points, and growing frustration around the club, the Crew announced Sunday afternoon that they have parted ways with their head coach. And honestly? There is a LOT to talk about. Matt and Jay jump on for an emergency-style episode breaking down how things fell apart so quickly, what ultimately doomed the Rydström era in Columbus, and whether he was truly the biggest problem facing this team. Was the system wrong? Did the players quit on the ideas? Did the front office fail him? Or was this simply never going to work in MLS? This is one of the biggest Columbus Crew stories in recent memory. If you are a Crew fan trying to process what just happened, this episode is for you.

S2 Ep27: Columbus Crew vs NYCFC Recap

The Columbus Crew suffer a brutal 3-0 loss to New York City FC, and the concerns surrounding this team continue to grow. In this episode, we break down everything that went wrong in Columbus Crew vs NYCFC, from the disconnected midfield pairing to the complete lack of attacking rhythm and dangerous transition play. We analyze the flatness of the offense, the recurring tactical and structural issues that have plagued the Crew throughout the MLS season, and ask the big question many fans are wondering: why did Sekou Bangoura not start? We also open the floor to the community and respond to questions from our TikTok followers about the team, the coaching decisions, player performances, and where the Crew go from here after another difficult result. If you’re looking for honest Columbus Crew analysis, MLS tactical discussion, and reaction to the NYCFC loss, this episode has you covered.

S2 Ep26: Columbus Crew vs NYCFC Preview

The Columbus Crew head to Yankee Stadium to take on New York City FC in one of the strangest road environments in MLS. In this episode, we preview the upcoming Crew vs NYCFC matchup and break down the key tactical storylines surrounding the game. We discuss NYCFC’s strength on set pieces and why Columbus’ set piece defending could be tested heavily in this matchup. We also talk about the unique difficulties of playing at Yankee Stadium, from the narrow field dimensions to the awkward game flow it creates. Beyond the match preview, we dive into the continued underperformance of the Crew’s current Designated Players and what needs to improve moving forward. To close the show, we discuss Kei Kamara announcing his retirement and some of the growing issues surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup. If you’re looking for Columbus Crew analysis, NYCFC preview content, MLS tactical discussion, and league-wide conversation, this episode has you covered.

S1 Ep25: Columbus Crew vs One Knox & Minnesota United Recaps

The Columbus Crew experience two completely different nights this past week. First, we break down a dominant 4-1 U.S. Open Cup win over Knoxville SC, where the Crew delivered one of their most complete attacking performances. We highlight standout players, key moments, and what clicked in a match that showed the team’s potential. Then, everything flips. Columbus fall 3-2 to Minnesota United FC in a brutal collapse after leading 2-0. We analyze how the game unraveled, the set piece breakdowns, and the recurring issues that continue to cost the Crew points in MLS play. Two matches. Two completely different performances. One big question: which version of this team is real? Or is it somewhere in the middle? If you’re looking for a full Columbus Crew Open Cup recap, Minnesota United match analysis, and honest discussion about the team, this episode has you covered.