Philadelphia Union vs. New York Red Bulls | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Philadelphia Union vs. New York Red Bulls
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 34
Talen Energy Stadium — Chester
October 21 — 3 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

A rivalry is renewed on Sunday as the New York Red Bulls traverse down the New Jersey Turnpike to face the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium.

The Red Bulls will need a win to keep pace with Atlanta United in the Supporters’ Shield race, while the Union could move level on points with third-place New York City FC with a win.

This is the second league meeting this season, with the rivals playing to a 0-0 draw at Red Bull Arena on May 26. The Union also prevailed in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16, 2-1.

Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia (15-12-5) booked a playoff berth in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 thrashing of Minnesota United at home on Oct. 6.

Fafa Picault netted a brace after Cory Burke and Alejandro Bedoya struck twice inside the opening 17 minutes to give the Union a commanding 4-0 lead at the break. Ilsinho put the finishing touches on the win, their third in four consecutive matches without a loss after Darwin Quintero scored the Loons lone goal.

“The only certainty in terms of opponent for the playoffs is that if we do win our next two games, we’re guaranteed the No. 3 seed,” Jim Curtin said. “That’s what our guys are focused on now. It’s going to be two difficult games against Red Bull and New York City FC, but if you do win two games in a row — which we’re capable of — the No. 3 seed is ours in terms of tiebreakers and how things would shake out. That’s our singular focus now, we want to host a home playoff game.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M – Alejandro Bedoya
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: QUESTIONABLE: D – Josh Yaro (right adductor sprain), D – Matt Real (left knee sprain)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Andre Blake — Keegan Rosenberry, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty, Raymon Gaddis — Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya — CJ Sapong, Borek Dockal, Fafa Picault — Cory Burke

New York Red Bulls

New York (20-7-5) stayed on the heels of Atlanta United by defeating the San Jose Earthquakes, 3-1, on Oct. 6 at Avaya Stadium.

Alex Muyl and Bradley Wright-Phillips scored three minutes apart midway through the first half before Aaron Long made it 3-0 five minutes into the second half. Chris Wondolowski cut into the Quakes deficit, but the Red Bulls stretched an unbeaten streak to four games with their third consecutive win.

“They’re well coached and organized and have their style and it goes right up against ours,” Chris Armas said. “They’re a good team, Jimmy Curtin, we know him well, he does a great job with them and gets a lot out of the guys. They’re always up for us and we’re always up for them, which always makes for a good game.”

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: M – Kaku, D – Michael Murillo
• International duty: None
• Injury Report: OUT: M – Florian Valot (torn left ACL), D – Kyle Duncan (torn right ACL), M – Vincent Bezecourt (right MCL surgery), D – Tommy Redding (shoulder surgery), M – Ben Mines (broken left clavicle surgery)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Luis Robles — Michael Murillo, Tim Parker, Aaron Long, Kemar Lawrence — Tyler Adams, Sean Davis — Marc Rzatkowski, Kaku, Alex Muyl — Bradley Wright-Phillips

All-Time Series

Officials

Referee: Ted Unkel
Assistant Referees: Adam Wienckowski, Logan Brown
4th Official: Silviu Petrescu
VAR: Jon Freemon