Photo: Marjorie Elzey

This article has been updated after publication with details of the match being rescheduled.

Who: Philadelphia Union vs. New York Red Bulls

What: 2023 Leagues Cup, Round of 16

Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania

When: Tuesday, August 8, 8:00 p.m. Eastern

Watch: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass

Whistle: Not available at time of publication

Philadelphia Union continue their run through the knockout stages of the U.S. Open Cup Leagues Cup, hosting familiar opponent New York Red Bulls in a rare Monday Tuesday night match at Subaru Park.

With a win, the Boys in Blue would host the winner of tonight’s game between Queretaro (who the Union already flattened 5-1 in group play) and another regional rival, New England Revolution.

Should the wins keep coming, Philly would host a semifinal against either the winner of tonight’s Houston-Charlotte matchup, or — enticingly — Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami CF, who advanced in a wild contest last night against FC Dallas.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves just yet. First, the Union need to deal with the Red Bulls. Games between these two sides can be summed up pretty simply: it’s like watching two toddlers pushing each other in a sandbox for 90 minutes, and then the Union win. Philly has not lost to the Red Bulls since 2019, a nine-match stretch that includes two playoff wins. And the New Jersey-based franchise hasn’t won a match in Chester since a 1-0 win in 2018.

If you’re heading down to the river tonight, take precautions: strong thunderstorms are in the forecast, with (at time of publication) a 60% chance of rain beginning at 6 p.m. and running through the duration of the match.

Update: Around 6 p.m. on Monday, Leagues Cup announced that the match was rescheduled due to the incoming storms, with kickoff now set for Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Scouting Report: New York Red Bulls

You know what you’re getting from Energy Drink soccer: a lot of running and a lot of kicking.

After a miserable start to MLS play, the Red Bulls fired embattled manager Gerhard Struber in May, the day after dropping a 1-0 loss to the Union at Red Bull Arena. His replacement, Troy Lesesne, has settled things down and gotten the team back into playoff range. With 26 points, they sit in 11th in the East, just four points back of D.C. United for the final playoff spot.

The Red Bulls are yet to lose in Leagues Cup play, winning a shootout after a scoreless draw with the Revolution before picking up a 2-1 win against San Luis to win their group. In the Round of 32, a first-half penalty converted by Omir Fernandez was enough to earn a victory against Hudson River rival New York City FC.

Former Union man Carlos Coronel will start in goal, while familiar foes like John Tolkin, Frankie Amaya, and Tom Barlow dot the Red Bulls’ lineup. Another Union alum, Cory Burke, did not make the matchday roster for the last Leagues Cup match; his status is unknown.

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

It wasn’t pretty, but Philadelphia did enough to ease past D.C. United on Thursday night in a penalty shootout. Olivier Mbaizo converted the winning penalty after a dreary 0-0 result in regulation that might have slightly flattered the lackluster Union.

Ball control is not the name of the game when the Union and Red Bulls play each other. Will Union manager Jim Curtin opt to match New York’s vertical play with his own 4-4-2, or stick with the 3-5-2 that he’s used for the last two matches? Will Jesus Bueno keep his place in midfield, or might this be a good opportunity for Jack McGlynn to get a start? The Union’s youngster had one of the best games of his brief professional career last season away against the Red Bulls.

New attacker Tai Baribo has been in full training with the Union over the last few days, and is in contention to make his first appearance with his new side.

Match-up to watch: Olivier Mbaizo or Nathan Harriel vs. John Tolkin

Tolkin, the interestingly coiffed 21-year-old left back, is one of New York’s more dynamic players, making his first three appearances for the U.S. men’s national team this year. Whether Curtin opts for Mbaizo or Harriel to match him on the right, they’ll be expected to keep the danger to a minimum.

Player to watch: Tai Baribo

New signings are fun! Someone like Baribo, who’s not a household name, is a mystery box. Who knows what he could be for the Union? If the Union need to chase the game late, will the new boy have a chance to make a memorable debut.

Prediction: Philadelphia 1-0 New York Red Bulls

This has all the makings of a weird one. A Monday night match, not much crowd expected, storms in the forecast. But I expect the Union’s run of dominance against their I-95 rivals to continue, maybe through a Dante Vanzeir own goal.