Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Who: Philadelphia Union vs New England Revolution

What: MLS Regular Season, Matchday 35

Where: Subaru Park

When: Saturday, September 20, 2:30 PM

Watch: MLS Season Pass on AppleTV

Whistle: Ref: Lorenzo Hernandez, AR1: Jose Da Silva, AR2: Walt Heatherly, 4th: Atahan Yaya, VAR: Kevin Stott, AVAR: Craig Lowry

It’s been a tough week for the Philadelphia Union, with the disastrous thrashing against the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend swiftly followed up by a US Open Cup elimination against Nashville SC on Tuesday. The Union can’t afford to wallow; they still hold a one point lead in the Supporters’ Shield race with four matches remaining in the regular season. The first step on that road comes against the New England Revolution.

Scouting Report: New England Revolution

The big news out of New England this week was the dismissal of head coach Caleb Porter. The former Portland and Columbus manager had spent the better part of two seasons with the Revs, but had not found much success, finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference last year and sitting 11th this year. Porter was not a popular coach in that locker room, and the Union should be wary of a dead cat bounce under interim coach Pablo Moreira. Of note here in Philadelphia is the fact that New England have already reached out to Jim Curtin to fill their head coaching vacancy for next season. Curtin is going to be one of the hottest coaching candidates in the league this offseason, and is not likely to spend another year out of the game.

On the field, New England are still centered around the dangerous Carles Gil, who leads the team in both goals and assists. Gil is one of the most technical and creative midfielders in MLS, and Union fans will remember him well from the Union’s 2020 playoff elimination. In goal, USMNT regular Matt Turner returned to the Revs this summer. Although Turner’s time in Europe was a bit of a disaster, he has shown that he is still one of the league’s top shot-stoppers over the past few weeks.

The Revolution are technically still not eliminated from MLS Cup contention, but sitting ten points from the playoff line and having just fired their coach, New England will be firmly in rebuilding mode heading into tonight’s game.

Player Availability: Leo Campana – Abductor (Out), Mamadou Fofana – Suspended (Out), Ignatius Ganago – Calf (Out), Matt Polster – Knee (Questionable)

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

In what has been an undeniably great season, this is the Union’s most critical juncture. Bradley Carnell took a risk by heavily rotating the side against Vancouver last week and was heartily punished with a 7-0 drubbing that sapped the confidence and energy out of his side ahead of the US Open Cup semifinal, where the Union were eliminated by Nashville SC. Carnell can’t let this season spiral out of control; the Union are still leading the Supporters’ Shield race, which would also give them home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs.

Carnell’s task isn’t made any easier by suspensions to both Lukic and Makhanya. Those are two key absences that will hurt the Union, particularly defensively. On the plus side, Andre Blake is off the injury report, which should give the Union some confidence at the back.

Player Availability: Jovan Lukic – Suspended (Out), Olwethu Makhanya – Suspended (Out)

Key Matchup: Danley Jean Jacques vs Carles Gil

Without his usual starting partner Lukic, more responsibility will fall on Danley Jean Jacques to contain the dangerous Gil, while still contributing to the attack in key moments.

Player to Watch: Tai Baribo

The Union’s top goalscorer hasn’t found the net in three games, a long stretch by his standards this season. He should have his chances against a relatively weak New England backline.

Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2 – 0 New England Revolution

This season’s Union side has shown both quality and resilience, and I believe they can bounce back against a weak New England side.