4 The Crew Podcast

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!

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!

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.

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.