Photo by Howie Pollard
Who: Philadelphia Union vs Minnesota United
What: MLS Regular Season
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania
When: Saturday, February 26th, 1:00pm
Watch: PHL17. ESPN+
Whistle: REF – Rubiel Vaxquez, AR1 – Jose DaSilva, AR2 – Gjovalin Bori, VAR – Jon Freemon, AVAR – Eric Weisbrod
The not-so-long awaited start of the 2022 MLS season has finally arrived as the Philadelphia Union play host to Minnesota United on Saturday afternoon. Minnesota will be making only their second ever trip to Chester, with their first visit ending in a 5-1 defeat.
Scouting Report: Minnesota United
The Loons will be looking to make a much better start to the 2022 season than the start they had to 2021, a campaign in which they lost their first 4 games. Minnesota did recover and make a push to the playoffs however, falling to the Portland Timbers by a score of 3-1 in the first round.
Minnesota retooled its attack in the offseason, as Designated Player signing Luis Amarilla joined the team from the Argentinean Primera Division. Also up top are Franco Fragapane, who bagged 5 goals and 9 assists last year in 19 games, and Abu Danladi, a speedster who recently rejoined the team from Nashville.
In the middle are a number of dirty runners and box-to-box midfielders led by Hassani Dotson. The young American featured in 29 games last season, scoring 2 goals and tallying 3 assists. Robin Lod also notched 9 goals and 5 assists in 2021, providing some needed offense from the second line during the year.
The man creating most of Lod’s chances is Emanuel Reynoso, who provided 5 goals and 10 assists in 29 games last year.
Minnesota hosts a solid defense, featuring Romain Metanire in the center paired with Brent Kallman. Both center backs are good aerial threats and sound positionally, much like Philadelphia’s center back duo. Chase Gasper features on the wing, a young American who had a strong season last year that included a USMNT call up.
In net is MLS journeyman Tyler Miller, who is looking to reset his career after a few up and down years at LAFC.
Injury Report: Out – None
Suspension Report: None
Scouting report: Union
Philadelphia will be looking to start strong on their home field after a painful exit there in the Eastern Conference Finals against NYCFC last November.
Up top, Philadelphia saw their leading goal scorer Kacper Pryzbylko move to Chicago in the offseason. Meanwhile, new addition Julian Carranza has been effective in the club’s preseason action, and other newcomer Mikael Uhre arrived in Philadelphia on Friday (but will not play a role on the weekend). Sergio Santos is also away from the club, back in Chile for green card purposes.
That leaves Quinn Sullivan and Cory Burke as available strikers to start alongside Carranza, or Philadelphia could also roll out their “Christmas Tree” formation used late last season – and debuted on the road in, of all places, Minnesota.
Another key loss for Philadelphia in the offseason was Jamiro Monteiro, the team’s highest paid player. His departure creates a need for Daniel Gazdag and Paxten Aaronson to show signs of development to replace his output. Gazdag and Aaronson will be favorites to start as dual no. 10s with so few strikers available. Defensively expect Jose Martinez to shield the backline, with Leon Flach and captain Alejandro Bedoya to round out the wings.
The best unit for Philadelphia last season remains unchanged: Jack Elliott and Jacob Glesnes return as the team’s center back pairing. Despite being rumored with a transfer away, Kai Wagner returns on the left side of defense following an All-Star year, with Olivier Mbazio looking to make strides from his promising year in 2021 on the right.
All-Star goalkeeper Andre Blake will be in goal for the Union.
Injury Report: None
Suspension Report: None
Key Matchup: Experience
Experience plays a big part in any season opener, a game where it can be tough to knock off rust and deal with nerves.
It may not be the best looking soccer and might indeed turn into a physical game – things tend to better suit a visiting team. Philadelphia has been one of the strongest sides in the league at home in recent years though, and was also tested in multiple playoff games just 3 months ago: a chippy outing will be right in their wheelhouse.
Advantage: Philadelphia.
Player to Watch: Daniel Gazdag
Gazdag will have a more intense spotlight on him now with the departure of Montiero. Flashes of his skill were evident when he scored against Minnesota twice last year, as well as in the playoffs. Philadelphia’s season may ride on his success pulling the strings.
Prediction: Philadelphia 1-0 Minnesota United
Philadelphia gets out of the blocks with a home win and a goal scored by Julian Carranza to open his Union attack – and to show he deserves a Designated Player tag.
doop!