4 The Crew Podcast

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.

The Crew suffered a disappointing home loss to New England but can they bounce back against the Red Bulls this weekend? We preview the matchup, highlight key things to look for, and then we also dive into the latest USMNT roster as the U.S. prepares for South Korea and Japan.

It was supposed to be a bounce-back game against a team in crisis. Instead, the Crew became the Revs’ get-right match. Columbus fell 2-1 at home to a New England side that came in on one of the league’s worst runs of form, making the loss sting even more. On this episode we break down how the game slipped away and dig into the bigger issues that have defined the Crew’s 2025 season.

The Crew are heading into a matchup with a Revolution team in complete collapse...1 win in 11, 2 in 17. Will Columbus take full advantage, or is this a trap game? We break it all down and also take you around MLS to review the biggest transfer window moves as rosters get locked for the playoff push.

This week on the 4 The Crew Podcast we dive into the Columbus Crew’s frustrating 1-1 draw in Toronto and what it means moving forward. We also take a step outside MLS to discuss the opening weekend of the English Premier League season. Plus, we’re joined by a special guest CrewRhino (Ben) who brings his perspective and passion for the Black & Gold to the conversation.

Saturday’s game against Toronto marks the Crew’s return to action after the Leagues Cup break. We discuss the matchup, team form, and what the Black & Gold need to get the result on the road. Also: Matt and Gabe discuss the beginning of the EPL season for the clubs they follow across the pond!

It’s report card time again. In Part 2 of our Crew midseason grades, we evaluate who we think were the 5 best players up to this point and also have an extensive conversation on what Nancy brings to the team and how the players have to work in sync with him to be succesful!

The Crew wrapped up Phase 1 of Leagues Cup with three very different matches against Toluca, Puebla, and Club León. In this episode, we talk through each performance, standout players, and what our results mean for our chances at advancing in the tournament.

Too many takes for one episode.We sat down to grade every Crew player individually then put out answers together to come up with a letter grade for every Crew player from the first game through the start of Leagues Cup… and didn’t hold back! This first part dives into all the grades below A-. Who’s been disappointing, solid, or still finding their form? The A-list comes in Part 2.

This week, we’re joined by the voice of the Columbus Crew himself - Chris Doran! From his journey into broadcasting to his favorite moments calling matches, Chris shares stories from the booth, his perspective on the club’s evolution in the booth and on the field, and what it means to represent the Black & Gold every matchday. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to the Crew, this is one you won’t want to miss.

We break down Columbus’s 3-1 loss at home to Orlando and what went wrong on the field. But it’s not all doom and gloom as we welcome two new signings: Abou Ali and Hugo Picard. Then we turn our attention to the upcoming Leagues Cup, previewing the Crew’s first three matchups.

Columbus heads into Friday’s match against Orlando City SC, a team that’s better than their recent form shows with just 3 wins in their last 9, and 1 in their last 5. We break down the matchup, what the Crew needs to do to win the game tactically, and how the Crew can keep things rolling into the Leagues Cup.Plus: thoughts on the MLS All-Star Game, and Messi's surprise no-show.

Three points in the bag, even if the performance wasn’t Crew’s best. We unpack the 2-1 win over DC, look at Messi’s latest brace (again), and debate what’s going on with Schulte. Also: All-Star Week is here!

The Columbus Crew was given a little bit of humble pie in a 3-0 loss on the road in Nashville SC, and we’re breaking down what went wrong in a match that lacked urgency and sharpness. But it’s not all doom and gloom! We talk transfers heating up around the club both completed and rumored, give our take on the brand-new retro third kit (spoiler: we’re fans), and look ahead to a bounce-back opportunity at home against a struggling D.C. United side.

Columbus pulled off one of the wildest Hell Is Real results ever — falling behind 2–0 in the first 5 minutes, then storming back with 4 unanswered to stun Cincinnati in their own house. We break down what happened, how the Crew took control, and why everyone should know OHIO IS BLACK & GOLD!Then we preview Wednesday's matchup against a strong Nashville SC side fresh off their first loss in weeks. The guys talk about what to expect, who to watch, and where the Crew can capitalize.

The Crew dropped a 30th anniversary kit bracket — so of course we had to dive in. The 2012 White cutoff kit won their bracket but which one was top for us?We go round by round and talk through the highs, the lows, the classics, and the...not so great. Which kits are still dope? Which ones didn’t age well? And which jersey actually deserves to win it all?

It’s Hell Is Real week (or Hate Week as Brian likes to call it) and emotions are already running high. We preview the massive showdown against FC Cincinnati, what’s at stake on the pitch, and how the Columbus Crew should approach it.We also talk about next season’s Crew season ticket price increases, what fans are saying, and whether the rising prices match the on-field product.

Our Columbus Crew comes home with a hard-fought point after a 1–1 draw in Seattle — a match filled with tactical nuance, high-level play, and mutual respect between two of the league’s strongest sides. We break down how the Crew approached the match, what worked against the Sounders, and how this results sets us up for he upcoming schedule.

The Crew are riding high after three straight statement wins — but now head west to face a solid but unpredictable Seattle Sounders side. We break down what Columbus needs to do to keep momentum, who Seattle has that we might need to worry about, and what the numbers say about each side’s form.Plus: what it would mean to pull off a win at Lumen, and why this could quietly be one of the season’s toughest tests but a win could put us in prime position.