Photo: Marjorie Elzey
Who: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami
What: MLS Regular Season
Where: Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
When: Saturday, September 14, 7:30pm
Watch: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
Whistle: TBD
The Philadelphia Union are back from the international break where they will kick off the final stretch of the season against Inter Miami. With only 7 games to go, points will be a necessity for the Union if they want to make the playoffs. In their way Saturday night just happens to be Lionel Messi and the best team in MLS currently.
Scouting Report: Inter Miami
Last 5 matches (most recent first) W – W -W -L – W
By now everyone has heard the star power Inter Miami has. Led by superstar Lionel Messi, the side also includes Sergio Busquets, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba, who all famously played with Messi at Barcelona. Coach Tata Martino has done some tinkering with his lineup, deploying Busquets as a center back while Alba is in the midifield. Suraez has also been in form as late, collecting 4 goals in his last 2 games.
Scattered throughout the lineup and off the bench are also some MLS veterans. Julian Gressel can play on the wing as a sub or starter if needed, while youngsters Robert Taylor and Benjamin Cremaschi are also options. In goal for Miami will be Drake Callender.
Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union
Last 5 matches (most recent first) W-L-W-W-L
After a rough start to the season the Union are starting to get back to their old ways of stout defense and hitting on the counter attack. Tai Baribo and Mikael Uhre have combined well with Daniel Gazdag up top, while Andre Blake’s return in goal has organized the defense.
Philadelphia sent Jose Martinez to South America during the transfer window, but brought in Danley Jean Jacques to replace him. Jacques did well against New York Red Bulls but this will be a new test entirely.
Philadelphia did have some injury concerns coming back from the international break, with Tai Baribo being injured for Israel as well as Blake picking up a groin injury with Jamaica. Head Coach Jim Curtin said in his mid-week press conference that Baribo is good to go while Blake is a game time decision. Curtin also stated that Jacques had not practiced since returning from duty with Haiti but he is expected to play.
Matchup to Watch: Miami attack
Everyone knows the stars will be out for Miami and in the attacking mood coming off the international break. Messi has missed games recently with injury so it will be interesting to see if his return keeps Luis Suraez in hot form.
Player to Watch: Danley Jean Jacques
It will be a tough return to MLS action for Jacques in the midfield as he will most likely have the responsibility of slowing down Messi and Alba in the midifield.
Prediction: Philadelphia Union 1-3 Inter Miami
The Miami offense is too potent for Philadelphia to keep at bay, especially if Blake can’t go.
Lines:
Philadelphia: +425
Miami: -210
Draw: +360
Tough challenge and a fair prediction.
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The Ted Lasso, I mean Maurio Pochettino, in me says: Believe. 🙂
I thought DJJ got injured?
He is out. Baribo is questionable. Blake out for sure.
A Hot Mess (i)………Blake probably not playing, Baribo Injured, Jaques has not practiced. Playing away. Just let Union II play and rest the first team another week. Not going to watch this disaster. Bet the over 5-1 .
Inquirer seems to be campaigning for Cavan to play Messi. So that would be fun. But yeah. This is an L.
Can’t play him . He is Sugarmans # 1 investment . I would never play him either.
The U are Team Benjamin Button all of a sudden; brittle bones that snap at the drop of a hat. In other sports, this is the point where you tank the season and hope for a high draft pick. But do they even have a 1st rounder in next year’s super draft? And is anyone confident this coaching staff and front office can abandon their strategy of picking players like they’re “straight out of the PC game Football Manager* as one draftnik writer belittled them?
The MLS Draft is essentially useless at this point in time. Seriously, it’s the year 2000 anymore. Try to keep up with the times.
Good Luck Boys- a draw would be a great result !