Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union, MLS: match, live stream, line ups, predictions and how to watch on TV online

They're two of the teams that aspire to go far in the competition and the calendar showed that they face each other on the first date. Because the Columbus Crew will host the Philadelphia Union in a game that promises great emotions. Both sides advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals earlier this week and will be full of confidence in Sunday's showdown at Columbus Crew Stadium.

After lifting the 2020 MLS Cup last December, beating the Seattle Sounders 3-0 in the final, the Columbus Crew's well positioned for the continued success of this campaign. Little should be read in their 2021 preseason form, despite losing all four matches and conceding 13 goals in the process, as the crew have kept an eye on their CONCACAF Champions League draw with Nicaraguan team Real Esteli.

Caleb Porter's team won the first leg of their last meeting 4-0 away from home, before securing a 1-0 victory on Thursday, crossing 5-0 overall to the quarterfinals. This result means that MLS will be represented by five clubs at this stage of the competition for the first time; Columbus Crew will be joined by Sunday's opponents Philadelphia, as well as Atalanta United, Portland Timbers and Toronto FC.

The Crew has one of the strongest squads in MLS, with at least two players for each position. Despite this, they still went out and improved their roster even further, with their most notable acquisition being forward Bradley Wright-Phillips. The player who is sixth on the list of all-time leading scorers in MLS history with 116 goals, enters 2021 after having recorded eight goals and six assists in 21 appearances last season and is sure to provide severe competition for forward Gyasi Zardes.

Philadelphia Union heads into 2021 after a historic season in which the club lifted its first trophy since its founding in 2008. Jim Curtin's team won the 2020 Supporters Shield, finishing atop the overall standings and three points clear for Toronto FC, but suffered a first-round playoff loss at home to the New England Revolution, ending their dreams of completing a national double.

This year, Philadelphia will aim to achieve even more success, but they will have to do without two of their biggest stars, Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie, who crossed the pond and made big moves to Red Bull Salzburg and Genk respectively.

Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union: schedule

4.30 p.m. ET

Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union: how to see it live and direct?

ABC, ESPN 3 and ESPN Deportes will broadcast the match, not only in the United States, but also in Latin America.

Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union: Streaming Online

ESPN App (Mexico); espn.com (United States).