Who: Philadelphia Union (1st place, 33  points, record 10-3-3) vs. FC Dallas (11th place, 17 points, 4-5-6)
What: 2025 regular season game
Where: Toyota Stadium
When: Saturday, May 31, 8:30 PM
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+, Listen in on 97.5 FM
Whistle: Ref: Sergii Boiko, AR1: Jeremy Hanson, AR2: Felisha Mariscal, 4th: Lorenzo Hernandez, VAR: David Barrie, AVAR: Meghan Mullen

Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union Communications

The Philadelphia Union is unbeaten in 10 games as they travel south to face FC Dallas in a meaningful cross-conference matchup. Two giants in the MLS player development world will go head to head once again in a battle of old school versus new school. 

Not long ago, the teams’ MLS NEXT Pro affiliates played the league final at Toyota Stadium, the site of the US Soccer Hall of Fame and the venue for this upcoming contest. Philadelphia Union II fell 3-2 to North Texas SC by a stoppage time goal from Dallas’ Pedrinho. Dallas signed the Brazilian as well as six other homegrown players from North Texas to first-team contracts in the primary window, and all but one of Union II’s starters from that match are now on first-team deals as well. 

History may be on Dallas’ side in this matchup, but Bradley Carnell’s Union is the hottest they’ve ever been, and they will be eager to bag all three points ahead of the international break.

Scouting Report: FC Dallas

Dallas is winless (two losses, three draws) in its last five matches. Their headline signing of the year, Lucho Acosta from FC Cincinnati, has yet to find his form, with only three goals and no assists in fourteen matches played. Pedrinho has been an incredible super-sub for the first team with five goal contributions off the bench. Assuming he enters for Dallas, the Union will need to keep him locked down. 

After the Union’s comeback win earlier this week, it’s worth mentioning that Dallas is also no stranger to coming from behind in 2025. Of their 17 points this season, 13 of them came from losing positions. This shows how difficult it is to count them out in a match, regardless of the score, and also suggests that they have a hard time beginning matches on the front foot. 

• Player Availability: Léo Chú – Knee (Out), Paxton Pomykal – Knee Bruise (Out), Osaze Urhoghide – Upper Leg (Out)

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

The Union are flying after scoring two goals in six minutes to come from behind to defeat Toronto FC away on Wednesday evening. This match is the last of the May gauntlet and also the last before multiple first-teamers depart for international duty. It will be important to finish the month on a positive note before the international break and earn another three points to hold their place at the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings. 

Considering their opponent’s recent form, the Union will want to come out swinging and assert themselves quickly, then hold out to keep Dallas at bay towards the end of the match. The key will be keeping the defense compact to limit Dallas’ options in the attack and on the break. 

• Player Availability: Ian Glavinovich- Knee (Out), Neil Pierre – Knee (Out)

Key Matchup: Lucho Acosta and the Sixes

The defensive midfield pairing in the Union’s 4-2-2-2 formation seems always to have the toughest jobs this season, and this match should be no exception. Lucho Acosta, while not in great goal-scoring form at the moment, is still one of the best in the league at finding goals out of nowhere and taking advantage of any space given to him outside the box. The sixes, likely Danley Jean Jacques and either Jovan Lukic or Jesus Bueno, will have another handful in containing the Argentinian. 

Player to Watch: Tai Baribo

The current Golden Boot leader had a quiet night in Toronto earlier this week and will be eager to get himself involved one more time before he joins Israel for a World Cup qualifying match and a friendly during the international break. Baribo historically has not received a large chunk of minutes during camps for his nation, but with this recent form, he should hope to have a better chance. 

Prediction: 2-1 Union

Philadelphia’s current form makes it hard to imagine them not getting away with the win tonight. So long as they’re able to limit Dallas as much as possible while capitalizing on their own attacking chances, the boys in blue will be able to reach the halfway point of the season on an eleven-game unbeaten streak.