Philadelphia Union aim to extend their winning streak on Saturday, as the MLS Eastern Conference club visit their rivals from the West, San Jose Earthquakes.
After securing their third straight victory last time out, Union now aim to stay near the front of a strong chasing pack in the East; meanwhile, the Quakes also occupy a playoff place despite winning just one of their last five matches.
Match preview
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One of several teams chasing a flawless Cincinnati FC side, who sit seven points clear at the top of the log-jammed Eastern Conference, Philadelphia Union are on a nine-match MLS unbeaten streak ahead of their trip west this weekend.
Jim Curtin's men have seen results go from strength to strength as their energetic style and robust approach to defending continues to pay off, and after following a 3-1 win at New York City with home victory over Charlotte FC, last week they secured maximum points once more.
In-form forward Julian Carranza was voted the Major League Soccer 'Player of the Matchday' after scoring twice in the Union's 3-0 success against Montreal at Subaru Park, and the Argentinian striker has now netted six goals in his last six appearances.
Recovering from setbacks in the CONCACAF Champions League and US Open Cup, both of which they exited last month, Philadelphia have recently proved an almost immovable object at home - where they have held their last four MLS opponents goalless - but have proved less successful on the road.
They now journey to PayPal Park for the first time since September 2019, for one of their eight scheduled fixtures against Western Conference teams, and will expect to further cement their position in the playoff places.
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San Jose Earthquakes were beaten both on that occasion four years ago and in a meeting between the teams last March at Philadelphia's Subaru Park, with their last MLS win over the Union coming back in 2013.
After ending a three-match winless streak by beating then-Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders to end May in style, Luchi Gonzalez's side were held goalless by Colorado last time out.
Though the Rapids went down to 10 men just short of the hour mark, San Jose still had to rely on a penalty save from Brazilian goalkeeper Daniel to preserve a point, which sees them sit fifth in the Western Conference.
Successive clean sheets will certainly cheer Gonzalez, who has his squad on course for a place in the autumn playoffs, and mounting a challenge to new leaders St Louis is not out of the question in the weeks ahead.
After finishing last in their conference last year, Quakes have adapted well to the demands of their Florida-born boss, who represented the club during a modest playing career before impressing as an assistant coach with the US national team.
Team News
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Union coach Jim Curtin recently outlined his plan to switch between a four-man defensive setup and a 3-5-2 formation depending on the circumstances, and the latter option would most likely see Jakob Glesnes, Jack Elliott and Damion Lowe lining up at the back on Saturday.
Further forward, averaging nearly a goal contribution per game since the start of last year, playmaker Daniel Gazdag should start as part of Julian Carranza's supporting cast.
Currently tied for third in this year's MLS Golden Boot race, since the start of the 2022 season, Carranza has scored 23 goals and provided 12 assists - the fifth-most contributions in the league during that time.
Captain Alejandro Bedoya hopes to recover from a quadriceps strain after missing four matches, while Quinn Sullivan, Jack McGlynn and Brandan Craig have all returned from representing the US at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, San Jose forward Jeremy Ebobisse - who recently scored his sixth league goal of the season to reach 50 in his MLS career - is set to lead the hosts' line up front.
Last week, experienced defender Carlos Akapo returned to the Quakes squad for the first time since April, after working his way back from a hamstring injury. Having appeared as a late substitute in Colorado, the Equatorial Guinea international is now in contention to start.
San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Daniel; Marie, Rodrigues, Beason, Trauco; Yueill, Gruezo, Monteiro; Espinoza, Ebobisse, Kikanovic
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Glesnes, Elliott, Lowe; Harriel, Martinez, Flach, Wagner; Gazdag; Uhre, Carranza
We say: San Jose Earthquakes 1-1 Philadelphia Union
Due to their defensive solidity, San Jose can stay unbeaten at home this season by restricting in-form Philadelphia to a low-scoring draw. The visitors boast a dangerous attack, but their hosts have shown more resilience of late and are particularly tough to beat at PayPal Park.
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Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
