Photo courtesy of Ryan McElroy

Who: Philadelphia Union vs Red Bull New York

What: MLS Matchday 17

Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania

When: Wednesday, July 22, 7:30 PM EST

Watch: AppleTV

Whistle: Fotis Bazakos (Referee), Lyes Arfa (AR1), Justin Howard (AR2), Alejo Calume (4th), Edvin Jurisevic (VAR), Tom Felice (AVAR)

After more than a month away from MLS play, the Philadelphia Union return to Subaru Park on Wednesday night to host Red Bull New York. The matchup marks the beginning of a pivotal stretch for the Boys in Blue, who will play six consecutive home matches on the riverfront.

Needless to say, the summer break brought about significant change for Philadelphia. After entering the international break at the bottom of the MLS table with a 1-10-4 record, the club appointed Jon Scheer as Sporting Director and promoted former Union player, assistant, and second team coach Ryan Richter to interim Head Coach. Wednesday’s match will be Richter’s first leading the first team, while the Union will also welcome back several familiar faces as they look to turn the page on a difficult first half of the season.

Scouting Report: Red Bull New York

Red Bull New York enters Wednesday’s matchup in much different form, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 6-5-4 record under first-year Head Coach Michael Bradley.

After leading the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side to a championship last season, Bradley has successfully transitioned to the first team, guiding a young group that has leaned heavily on its emerging attacking talent.

Eighteen-year-old Julian Hall has enjoyed a breakout campaign, leading the club with nine goals and four assists, while winger Jorge Ruvalcaba has added seven goals of his own. The California native heads into the match in excellent form after scoring four goals in his last four MLS appearances, including a brace against Sporting Kansas City before the World Cup break.

While New York claimed a 1-0 victory in the clubs’ last meeting last August, history has favored Philadelphia at Subaru Park. The Red Bulls are just 6-10-4 all-time in Chester and are winless in their last five visits.

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia enters the second half of the campaign with the renewed energy after making changes both on and off the field during the World Cup break.

The biggest addition comes in the return of Kai Wagner, the club’s all-time assist leader, who is back in Chester after spending seven months with Birmingham City in the English Championship. Wagner’s experience, leadership, and attacking presence down the left flank should provide an immediate boost to a team looking to rediscover its identity.

The Union could also see the long-awaited return of Homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan, who is available for the first time since suffering an ACL injury against D.C. United last September.

Injury Report: Olwethu Makhanya (Out; Personal) 

Disciplinary Report: N/A

Matchup to Watch: Kai Wagner vs. Julian Hall

Wagner won’t have much time to ease back into MLS action. New York’s teenage standout Julian Hall has been one of the league’s brightest young attackers this season, combining pace with clinical finishing to lead the Red Bulls’ offense. If Wagner can limit Hall’s opportunities while still providing his trademark attacking contributions down the left side, Philadelphia will take a significant step toward a positive result in Richter’s managerial debut.

Player to Watch: Kai Wagner

All eyes will be on Wagner in his return to Subaru Park. The German defender immediately restores one of the league’s premier chance creators to Philadelphia’s lineup, bringing quality service on set pieces and from open play. Beyond his production, Wagner’s familiarity with the club and leadership could provide an emotional life for a team beginning a new chapter.

Prediction: Union 2 – 1 Red Bull

Sure, New York may seem like the better team on paper, but how can you bet against a “new manager bounce” coupled with Wagner’s (and maybe even Sullivan’s) return, and home field advantage?