Photo Courtesy of_Philadelphia Union

Who: Philadelphia Union vs CF Montreal

What: MLS Matchday 23

When: Saturday, September 5th, 7:30 PM EST

Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania

Watch: Apple TV

Whistle: Chris Penso (REF), Corey Rockwell (AR1), Eduardo Jeff (AR2), Sergii Demianchuk (4TH), Michael Radchuk (VAR), Karsten Gillwald (AVAR)

Philadelphia’s interim head coach Ryan Richter has his side in fine form since taking over, starting seven games unbeaten since MLS resumed. In that span, the Union have beaten the Red Bulls 3-1 on two separate occasions, and won 10 out of 12 possible points at home. CF Montreal, on the other hand, haven’t been as strong. They sit 14th in the East and are three points back of Philly in the Supporters’ Shield standings. Montreal has won just once since the break and is coming off a 7-1 thrashing by Inter Miami, in which Leo Messi scored four times while assisting another. 

These two teams are familiar with each other, having played 34 times all-time. Philly has won 2-1 three times in a row, and leads the series with 13 wins and 10 draws. At home in MLS play, the Union have won six times and drawn eight while losing just twice. In this season’s meeting, goals from Japhet Sery and Jesus Bueno gave the Union their first win of the campaign in Montreal. 

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia has caught fire in the second-half of the year, largely in part to the youth movement. Richter, himself just 36-years-old, has gotten a lot of help from teenagers Neil Pierre and Cavan Sullivan, who have combined for six goals and four assists in this seven-game unbeaten run. Sullivan has a goal contribution in four consecutive matches, while Pierre is leading MLS defenders in goals since play resumed.

Despite questionable production from the strikers since Milan Iloski’s magical run of form ended, the Union have gotten the job done in style. They’ve blitzed NYRB twice and beat NYCFC 3-2. Two draws to Austin and Miami are a slight blip on the record, but neither performance showed anything of worry. 

Quinn Sullivan’s return to the starting XI feels more and more imminent each game, but his bench minutes have been strong. After a full-90 against Santos in the Leagues Cup, Sullivan has gotten around a half-hour off the bench in each game, pretty much always as a like-for-like sub for Indiana Vassilev. Getting him back feels like adding a new player as opposed to simply returning an injured player. 

The Union leads the league in accurate crosses per game, which is a stat made possible by Kai Wagner and Frankie Westfield. Those two, along with occasionally Nathan Harriel and whatever player drifts wide in the attack, have been very clutch at getting good service into the box. Sure, they don’t always result in a goal, but it’s a great place to be. 

Injury Report: Alejandro Bedoya (Questionable; Knee)

Disciplinary Report: N/A

Scouting Report: CF Montreal

Montreal has primarily lined up in a 4-3-3 this year, although that hasn’t brought them much success. Currently, manager Sebastian Breza’s side is 14th in the Eastern Conference with five wins in 22 games and 46 goals conceded. They’ve won one in five, including a 7-1 defeat at the hands of Inter Miami, and are coming off a 1-1 draw against Vancouver in the Canadian Championship semifinals in the midweek. 

Prince Owusu is far and away this team’s best player. He’s scored 13 goals and assisted on six, both of which lead Montreal. The 29-year-old Ghanaian has started 20 games this season and was on a four-match scoring streak before the loss to Miami. He’s joined in the attack by Daniel Rios and Wiki Carmona, although that pairing has combined for just seven goals and two assists. Those three account for 20 of Montreal’s 30 league goals this season, with Owus himself being responsible for 43% of the 30.

CF Montreal has been the epitome of a bad team this year. They don’t keep the ball (48.3% possession), don’t create chances (19th in xG), and don’t defend well (last in set-piece goals conceded). Sure, the Union wasn’t much better for a large part of the season, but the current gap between these two sides is palpable. 

Thomas Gillier has held down the starting goalkeeper position this year, but has not found much success. With just 4 clean sheets in 19 games and a whopping 42 goals conceded, Gillier’s numbers don’t exactly jump out (at least, not in a positive way). 

Injury Report: N/A – Frankie Amaya (Out; Lower Body), Efrain Morales (Out; Lower Body), Josh-Duc Nteziryayo (Out; Lower Body)

Disciplinary Report: Brayan Ceballos (Yellow Card Accumulation)

Matchup to Watch: Kai Wagner vs Montreal’s Defense

Kai Wagner’s left foot might be one of the best in the league, especially when striking a dead ball. Montreal’s defense has been abysmal when defending set-pieces, with 14 goals allowed from them directly. Wagner can deliver corners and free-kicks with ridiculous accuracy, and it certainly helps that Neil Pierre can get his head above the crossbar when he jumps. Set pieces will be crucial in this one. 

Player to Watch: Prince Owusu

Montreal’s starting striker has lit up the stat sheet this season, scoring 13 goals and assisting on six more, a startling number when considering they’ve only scored 30 goals as a team. He’s 6-foot-3 and clinical, a dangerous combination. The rest of his team isn’t great, but he can create for himself or others with ease, so the Philly defense will need to be locked in whenever he’s involved. 

Score Prediction: Philadelphia Union 2-0 CF Montreal

Philly’s attack has been strong in recent games, and they are coming off a full week of rest while being in form. Montreal, meanwhile, has been playing much worse and had a game this past Wednesday. If the Union can silence Owusu and control the game in Chester, then Richter’s side should definitely come out with three more crucial points.