Philadelphia Union vs New York Red Bulls Match Preview

The playoff race is coming down to the wire, with only three games left in the Regular Season. With a win and a New England Revolution loss, the Philadelphia Union can secure a playoff berth for the first time since 2011.

The Ins and Outs

Philadelphia Union 11-11-9, 42 points vs New York Red Bulls 13-9-9, 48 points

Saturday at 7 p.m., Red Bull Arena

Pro Assigned Referees: REF: Jose Carlos Riveero, AR1: Corey Parker, AR2: James Conlee, 4TH: Mathieu Bourdeau.

Coaches: Jim Curtin, Philadelphia Union; Jesse Marsch, New York Red Bulls.

Where to Watch: The Comcast Network, MSG+, MLS Live.

By The Goals: Philadelphia Union 50 goals for, 48 goals against; New York Red Bulls 53 goals for, 40 goals against.

Last Games: Philadelphia Union away at Toronto FC, 1-1 draw; New York Red Bulls home vs Montreal Impact, 1-0 win.

End the Streak

Two Eastern Conference Rivals will meet Saturday evening for the second time this season. Philadelphia Union will travel down I-95 to face off against the New York Red Bulls.

Both team’s enter the match on streaks. The Union, on a 4 game winless streak, while the Red Bulls are on a 13 game unbeaten streak. Tough task for Philadelphia but they will look to end both streaks, by earning a much-needed victory.

When the two teams faced off earlier this season, New York jumped out to a 2-0 lead by the time halftime came around. Both goals coming from Sacha Kljestan. The Union though would bounce

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back in the second half and scored two goals just 1 minute apart. A C.J. Sapong Penalty Kick would find the back of the net in the 67th minute. The second coming from Chris Pontius as he connected on a low cross via Fabian Herbers.

In the 72nd minute Ilsinho was issued a Red Card and the 10-Man Union couldn’t complete the comeback for the win. The two halves were so different from each other alluding to a problem the Philadelphia Union have had all season.

Two Complete Halves Needed

All season long the Union have struggled to put together two complete halves. They are either strong in the first half and then look lackluster in the second, or they come out flat in the first half and come alive in the second. Many games have been squandered this way.

However, when the Philadelphia Union play a complete game, they show they can dominate the opponent and cruise to victory. Five games this year, by my count, Philadelphia played strong from start to finish. The results: 3-0 vs New England, 2-0 vs NYCFC, 3-0 vs DC United, 4-0 at New England, 2-0 vs Sporting KC.

Only five games this season, yet this team is in fourth place in the East. More consistent play throughout the course of this season and the Philadelphia Union would have likely already clinched a playoff spot.

What to Expect

Philadelphia will need to keep New York Red Bulls striker, Bradley Wright-Phillips in check. Wright-Phillips has 20 goals on the season. However even when the Philadelphia Union have kept Wright-Phillips in check, NYRB have a few other guys who can find the back of the net as seen in the first match up this year.

Last week we saw a bit of a different lineup from the Union. Tranquillo Barnetta did not travel with the team, so Alejandro Bedoya moved up from the 8 position into the number 10 role. We also saw Brian Carroll and Warren Creavalle back on the pitch at the same time as the two Defensive Midfielders. This week Barnetta will likely be back in the Starting XI at the 10 and Bedoya will likely slide back to the 8.

With a win, the Union inch closer to securing a playoff berth. They will clinch a spot at the conclusion of Saturday evening if New England Revolution loses to Sporting Kansas City.

Next: Jim Curtin, Forever Learning

The Philadelphia Union know what is at stake and end two streaks in one evening. A 2-1 win, with goals coming from Chris Pontius and Fabian Herbers.

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