Photo: @PhilaUnion on X
Who: Philadelphia Union (League Record: 3rd place Eastern Conference, 47 Points, 14W-5D-5L) vs. Colorado Rapids (League Record: 7th place Western Conference, 30 points, 8W-6D-10L)
What: 2025 Regular Season Match
Where: Subaru Park, Chester PA
When: Saturday, July 26, 7:30 PM EST
Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+, Listen in on 97.5 FM
Whistle: Ref: Malik Badawi, AR1: Jason White, AR2: Gianni Facchini, 4th: Joshua Encarnacion, VAR: Kevin Stott, AVAR: Mark Allatin
Today’s match marks the return of the Rapids to Subaru Park, just short of a year since the two clubs faced off in the 2024 Leagues Cup Third Place match. Colorado traveled to Philadelphia with a spot in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup on the line. After regulation ended with a 2-2 scoreline, the match went to penalty kicks to determine the winner. Stepping up in the shootout was Rapid’s goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who made crucial stops to seal the victory and secure Colorado’s CCC berth.
Since Philadelphia entered MLS in 2010, the Union and Rapids have an even record against each other. In their 14 MLS regular season matchups, the clubs have played to a 4-6-4 record. Colorado have not won an MLS encounter at the Subaru Park in over 13 years, with their only victory coming in 2012. The Union are unbeaten in their last 12 matches at home in all competitions and have failed to find the back of the net in only one of these games.
Scouting Report: Colorado Rapids (D-L-L-W-D)
The Rapids are coming off a historic comeback on the road against the Seattle Sounders. After falling behind 3-0 early in the second half, the Rapids rallied to salvage a point. The comeback was spearheaded by Djordje Mihailovic, Cole Bassett, and substitute Darren Yapi, all of whom found the back of the net within a 25-minute span to eventually tie the match and earn the draw. The comeback marked the first time in MLS history that a club has overcome a three-goal deficit against the Sounders at Lumen Field to eventually earn a point.
Injury Report: Connor Ronan – Ankle (Out)
Disciplinary Summary: None
Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union (L-L-W-W-D)
On the other end of this matchup will be a Philadelphia side that has been fairly dominant at home so far in 2025. In their 12 matches at Subaru Park in MLS this season, the Union have posted an 8-1-3 record with their only loss coming to Nashville SC back in March. Since that match, the Boys in Blue have gone unbeaten in their last ten home matches. Two of the draws featured dropped points, however, as both Columbus and Miami rallied in injury time to salvage ties. The Union’s most recent result came on the road against Houston where they played to a 1-1 draw.
Leading the Philadelphia attack is All-Star forward Tai Baribo, who leads the club in goals with 14 on the season, and is fourth in the MLS Golden Boot race. Baribo will enter the match fresh off his MLS All-Star Game performance where he scored a goal and earned MVP honors in the matchup against the Liga MX All-Stars. Also returning from the All-Star Game are defenders Kai Wagner and Jakob Glesnes.
Injury Report: Ian Glavinovich – Knee (Out), Ben Bender – Calf (Questionable)
Disciplinary Summary: Nathan Harriel – Suspended: Yellow Card Accumulation, Francis Westfield – Suspended: Red Card – Violent Conduct
Matchup to Watch: Colorado’s Attack versus Olivier Mbaizo
With starters Harriel and Westfield suspended, look for Colorado to attack down the left side and try to force Mbaizo into mistakes.
Player to Watch: Andre Blake
Hopefully Blake returns to the starting lineup after being relegated to the bench in Houston, ostensibly for a rest day during a match that featured a heavily rotated squad.
Prediction: Union 2-0 Colorado Rapids
Expect the stingiest defense in the league, allowing a league low 23 goals, to blank the Rapids while the offense scores a couple at the friendly Soob.
Need a win to reclaim 1st place in Supporters Shield race and playoff seeding. And then need Miami and Cincinnati to tie. (A Miami win would also do it but then they’d be nipping at our heels with games in hand.) I think it’s hilarious that Garber had to suspend Messi and Alba for this weekend bc they missed the all star game. And Messi is reportedly pissed! Maybe he’ll just up and quit and go play in Argentina or something. MLS bends over backwards to let the Miami Beckhams flaunt every salary cap and roster move rule in the book but then have to suspend Messi to make it look like it’s all above-board. Like any of us are fooled. I hope things are really uncomfortable in Garber’s world right now. I hope he tried calling Messi to apologize/explain and got sent to voice mail.
Messi is a whinging baby. Garber was apologetic in his statement. He should have said “suck it up and play. Or not. But stopping whinging.” Cincy sent its best players to the game; so should have Miami.
Another reason to vote for players on the team you play immediately after the all-star game. There’s always the chance they don’t show up and get suspended.
A win would cap off a decent (not great) month for the Union. August starts with a friendly, a winnable game at home against Toronto, a home USOC match, and then the Pink Cows in New Jersey. Winnable all. Need the points and to advance in USOC. Love to see a Union B-squad take on Frankfurt.
While we have a much smaller sample of Bradley Carnell hndling in-season friendlies than we did for his predecessor, one of the purposes of the Frankfurt match is to maintain game-readiness.
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Another aspect is unlimited substitutions.
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A third point is that Union II play a league game at home the next day.
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I would expect starters to get 45 minutes, and benchies to get the same. Since Vazquez, Olney, and C Sullivan are all unavailable, and Pierre, LeFlore, Anderson, and Pariano are playing the next day, a 45:45 split seems likely to me.
Does one week off in the midst of a grinding season really affect game readiness? Legitimately asking. I would think rest and recovery is more important.
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Not saying that Carnell won’t go with a 45:45 split.
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Just saying I would rather have an entire B-Squad play. The UII are there to support the Union. I don’t care if they lose the next day.
Thanks for the preview Chris !
C’mon the U ! DOOP Fest at Home !