Photo Courtesy of Philadelphia Union

Who: Philadelphia Union vs New York City FC

What: MLS Matchday 19

When: Sunday, August 16th, 6:00 PM EST

Where: Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York

Watch: Apple TV

Whistle: Sergii Demianchuk (REF), Corey Parker (AR1), Kyle Atkins (AR2), Sergii Boiko (4TH), Younes Marrakchi (VAR), Tom Felice (AVAR)

Major League Soccer action returns this weekend after the multi-week break for Leagues Cup action, with a renewal of one of the more exciting rivalries in the Eastern Conference. The Union have only lost once in the six matchups in NYC between these two teams this decade, and the pair of clubs haven’t played to a draw in their last dozen meetings. NYCFC have the advantage in both this rivalry and the standings this year, having won the March 1 fixture 2-1 after a Tayvon Gray goal in the 99th minute. 

Through 18 matches, the Union sit in 13th place in the East, on just 16 points. That being said, they are only 7 points out of a playoff spot and have won their last three MLS matches dating back to the return after the World Cup break. NYCFC are currently 5th in the East on 26 points, and won two of their three games post-World Cup. 

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

Philly returns to MLS action after a disappointing but not disastrous Leagues Cup performance. A 1-0 loss to Cruz Azul, which frankly could’ve and should’ve been a win, kicked off their Leagues Cup campaign. The Union then hammered Necaxa 3-1, which put them in with a (very small) chance of advancing with a big win in their last match against Santos Laguna. Interim head coach Ryan Richter opted to wave the white flag and rotate his squad heavily for the third match, resting his starters and ending up on the wrong side of a 2-0 loss. The focus is now back on continuing the good form and climbing into a playoff spot with 16 MLS games to play.

Richter played around with the starting lineup a bit in all three Leagues Cup games, looking to find more winning combinations as results continue to gain importance. Milan Iloski didn’t see much action as Richter turned to Ezekial Alladoh and Bruno Damiani, among others. Cavan Sullivan continues to step his game up with each passing game, and even put up a goal and assist against Necaxa despite playing only an hour. His brother, Quinn Sullivan, is almost back to full fitness and is certainly hoping he can play a big part in the second half of this season.

Andre Blake is likely to get the nod in net after Andrew Rick got all 3 starts in Leagues Cup, including a really strong performance against Necaxa. Blake has kept 3 clean sheets in 17 games this year as the Union have conceded a whopping 33 goals. 

Injury Report: N/A

Disciplinary Report: N/A

Scouting Report: New York City FC

NYCFC and the Union played the same three Liga MX opponents in Leagues Cup play, which helps to gauge how similar the two sides are playing at the moment. NYCFC beat Santos Laguna 2-0, the inverse of the score when Philly played them, in their first game, but that doesn’t account for the Union’s squad rotation. New York then lost 2-1 to both Cruz Azul and Necaxa, results that might please Union fans. That shutout against Santos marks the only NYCFC clean sheet after the World Cup break, and only their fourth of the season. 

Head coach Pascal Jansen has lined his team up in a 4-1-4-1 formation this season, using a pair of attacking midfielders to go along with two wingers and a lone striker. Midfielder Kai Trewin has held it down as the defensive midfielder in that structure, but he is battling a leg injury and won’t feature in this match. Nicolás Fernández has been lethal up top, scoring 13 goals in 18 starts, enough for the team lead. Argentinian Maxi Moralez, who scored the goal that eliminated the Union from the playoffs last year, is injured, which will certainly hurt for NYCFC. 

Matt Freese, a name that still haunts me to type just a bit, has been solid in goal for NYCFC since returning from USA duty. His best performance came in the clean sheet against Santos Laguna, but Freese will have to be turned on to handle Milan Iloski and this Union attack that’s gaining form. 

Injury Report: Maclean Learned (OUT – Leg Injury), Drew Baiera (OUT – Leg Injury), Kai Trewin (OUT – Leg Injury), Aiden O’Niell (OUT – Leg Injury), Maxi Moralez (OUT – Leg Injury), Arnau Farnós (OUT – Leg Injury), Alonso Martinez (OUT – Leg Injury)

Disciplinary Report: N/A

Matchup to Watch: Danley Jean Jacques vs Jonathan Shore

Jonathan Shore has been the fill-in for Kai Trewin in the center of the park for NYCFC, but he will have to outplay Haitian international Danley Jean Jacques to make a difference in this one. Danley has put up very strong performances in MLS this season and is a very intimidating physical presence for the 19-year-old Shore to go up against. 

Player to Watch: Nicolás Fernández 

The Union’s defense has been shaky at times this year, even since Neil Pierre was brought up to the center-back spot. They’ve kept just one clean sheet since the break ended and have conceded nearly 2 goals a game this season. Fernández has been prolific this season and will provide a true test for this Union backline to prove that there’s a shot they can come back and make the playoffs. The 26-year-old Argentinian has scored in 4 straight MLS matches; can he make it 5?

Score Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2-2 NYCFC 

These two teams haven’t played to a draw in years, which to me means they’re due for one. Neither side has been particularly good defensively, and the Union’s attack has been good recently. Both teams have quality, and this rivalry can bring the energy out with ease.