Photo: Marjorie Elzey
Who: Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC
What: MLS Regular Season, Matchday 14
Where: Subaru Park, Chester, PA
When: Wednesday, May 15, 7:30 PM EST
Watch: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
Whistle: TBD
The Philadelphia Union hosts yet another match in the early MLS season, with rivals New York City FC coming to town for a midweek matchup. After facing off in consecutive Eastern Conference Championships in 2021 and 2022, neither side has returned to that Championship caliber so far in 2024.
Scouting Report: New York City FC
Last 5 matches (most recent first) W – L – W – W – W
Despite a recent turn in form for the Pigeons, winning 4 of their last 5, the men from New York City find themselves in 5th place of the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-2-5, collecting 17 points on the year.
Leading goalscorer Santiago Rodriguez will be looking to add to his 5 league goals this year. He will run the attack for New York. Hannes Wolf is also an attacking option on the right side. He leads New York with 3 assists on the year.
There will be some familiar faces lining up against the Union. Midfielder Andres Perea, who scored the game-winner last weekend, will be in defensive midfield. Former Union homegrown goalkeeper Matt Freese will be the netminder.
Injury Report: Out: Rio Hope-Gund, Maxi Moralez.
Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union
Last 5 matches (most recent first) L – D – L – L – D
It’s been a dramatic start to the year for Philadelphia, to say the least. Star goalkeeper Andre Blake has been battling injuries while also voicing his opinion on the lack of management ambition. Head Coach Jim Curtin has voiced frustrations with striker Tai Baribo, and fans are starting to sour on starter Mikael Uhre.
Philadelphia sits squarely in the middle of the Eastern Conference in ninth place at 3-5-3, though recent form has not been kind to The Boys in Blue. Surrendering an average of 2.40 goals a game in their last 5 is a worrying sign for a team built to defend and hit on the counterattack.
Injury Report: Out: Andre Blake; Questionable: Markus Anderson, Cavan Sullivan, Olivier Mbazio.
Matchup to Watch: Transition offense
Philadelphia likes to get into transition to create offense, but with a shaky defense, they could come out more compact at home. If defensive woes continue, it could be a long night in Chester.
Player to Watch: Jose Martinez
Martinez is usually up for these rivalry games, filled with emotion and speed. Martinez thrives under these conditions but must keep his emotions in check early.
Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1-1 New York City FC
New York has been the better team recently, but Philadelphia took a step forward and saw out a draw at home.
Lines:
Philadelphia: -115
New York City: +290
Draw: +270
Sean, check the headline
When was the last time they lost 4 in a row at home?
Never, they have a chance to set a new club record.
How low can we go? I don’t have a lot of faith in our squad at the moment. Really hope they can reverse the poor run of form, though. Beating NY at home should be a nice confidence boost.
With only one striker (Carranza) in good form and the defense extremely shaky over last couple games, think they might be better off in a 4-2-3-1 for now with Flach and Martinez at dual 6s and Sullivan and McGlynn on the wings.
I like it.
Carranza hasn’t scored in over a month.
Aren’t you a barrel of fun. Let Uhre start up front then. Would you like that?
Just disagreeing that Carranza is in good form. Team has 2 points in last 5 games despite only 1 game against a quality team (RSL). No one is in form.
This is exactly what I said in the post-Orlando-game thread. I think this is our best short-term fix to the defense.
Here are the officials.
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REF: Chris Penso
AR1: Cory Richardson
AR2: Brooke Mayo
4TH: Joshua Encarnacion
VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
AVAR: Robert Schaap
MLS Website player availability report lists Blake as questionable with a knee, although I would be very surprised if he dressed. Trent remains out with a finger. Cavan Sullivan is questionable with a hip. LeFlore remains out with a knee. Mbaizo and Anderson were not listed. Neither was Pariano but he is on season-long-loan to Union II almost certainly.
I saw the Orlando player who drew the yellow card on Lowe was fined for simulation. Too bad that doesn’t get Lowe’s card rescinded.
I called that one. But I think Lowe’s card may have been for his taunting, and as much as the guy deserved it, there’s no grounds to rescind that.
Lowe not even on the bench??