Philadelphia Union vs Sporting KC Match Preview

The Philadelphia Union look to continue their winning streak, when they face Sporting Kansas City, in a rematch of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final game.

The Ins and Outs

Philadelphia Union 10-9-7, 37 points vs Sporting Kansas City 11-11-5, 38 points

Saturday at 7 p.m., Talen Energy Stadium

PRO assigned Referees: REF: JUAN GUZMAN AR1: CJ Morgante AR2: Jason White 4TH: Mark Kadlecik

Coaches: Jim Curtain, Philadelphia Union; Peter Vermes, Sporting Kansas City.

Where To Watch: The Comcast Network, KMCI-38, MLS Live.

By the Goals: Philadelphia Union 45 goals for, 41 goals against; Sporting Kansas City 32 goals for, 30 goals against.

Last games: Philadelphia Union away at Columbus Crew SC, 2-1 win; Sporting Kansas City home vs Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 win.

https://twitter.com/PhilaUnion/status/768976437969756160

Two Teams in Playoff Race’s

The Philadelphia Union are in the midst of a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference, and will look to gain sole possession of third place — with the help of some other teams.

The Union are at home for the matchup, after another resilient effort in their 2-1 defeat of Columbus Crew SC , on Wednesday night, their second Win in three games. They’re currently sitting in a tie for 3rd place with New York Red Bulls, with 37 points each, but Union were deferred to the 4th seed because of goal differential.

Last Year’s Matches

The last time the Union played Sporting Kansas City, was in September in the U.S. Open Cup final The Union scored an early goal, only for Sporting to get a late equalizer. The two sides went to penalty kicks. Sporting would net 7 PK’s to the Union’s 6. For the second straight year, Union fan’s saw the opposing team hoist the U.S. Open Cup trophy and celebrate on their home field.

In their only game in MLS league play, the two team’s played in April, in Kansas City. The Union fell to Sporting 3-2. Two set goals came early for the Union, off of corner’s, to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. The Union would off 46 minutes of constant attack from KC, only to allow two goals after the 91st minute in a terrible loss, that was all too familiar for the 2015 Union.

In this matchup, the Union fielded a starting XI that consisted of Goalkeeper – Rais M’Bholi. Defenders – Fabinho, Steven Vitoria, Maurice Edu, Raymon Gaddis. Midfielders – Andrew Wenger, Michael Lahoud, Brian Carroll, and Eric Ayuk. Forwards – Fernando Aristeguieta and Sebastian Le Toux. Only ONE player from last year’s lineup will be featured in Saturday’s starting XI, Fabinho.

That speaks volumes as to where this team has come in just one short year, especially thanks to Sporting Director Earnie Stewart.

What to Expect

The Boy’s in Blue return home Saturday, where they have been strong for a majority of the season, averaging 2.1 goals per home game. Sporting Kansas City has struggled to find the back of the net on the road, averaging less than 1 goal, 0.7 goals to be exact, per away game.

Sporting Kansas City comes in led by English goal scorer, Dom Dwyer, who has 12 on the season. Dwyer got off to slow start, being held scoreless in a few games to start the season. This has changed and Dwyer is back to his normal ways, lighting it up in games. Slowing him down will be the key to stopping the Sporting attack.

There are 8 games left in the season, with the Philadelphia Union looking to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference. While Sporting Kansas City looks to stay alive in the Western Conference.

The Union are 0-1-2 in games that immediately follow a Wednesday night game. This will be the Union’s third game in seven days. Tired legs may be an issue but the Union have a strong practice schedule to be prepared for times like this.

Next: Rookies Shine in Victory at Columbus

While it would make sense to follow the trend of a draw, after a Wednesday night game, two things need to also be taken into account. Sporting isn’t very good on the road this year and the Union are 7-2-3 at home this year. The Union showed they could win on short days rest when they played Columbus on Wednesday and will earn the win in similar fashion on Saturday.

2-1 Union win, with goals coming from Chris Pontius and C.J. Sapong.

Home/Philadelphia Union