Two teams desperate to make the MLS Cup playoffs will square off on Sunday with a massive three points at stake as the Philadelphia Union host DC United at Subaru Park.
A 5-1 win over New York City FC on Wednesday has the Union in the final Eastern Conference playoff position, above DC United on goal difference, with the latter playing to a 0-0 draw with NYCFC last weekend.
Match preview
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On Wednesday, the Union put their playoff desperation to good use, scoring three times in just over a half hour and pouring on the pressure throughout the 90 minutes.
That was their second triumph in their previous three league fixtures, and it has them back in control of their playoff destiny heading down the season's final stretch.
Jim Curtin's men have an opportunity this weekend to win consecutive MLS encounters for only the third time all year and the first time since July.
Philly have points in three of their previous four home matches in this competition but were beaten in their last league contest at Subaru Park against the Columbus Crew (1-0).
In 2024, the Union have been uncharacteristically poor at home, winning just three domestic affairs, tied with the San Jose Earthquakes for the fewest in MLS.
The Union are unbeaten in six successive competitive fixtures versus DC, winning the last two league matches against them in Chester by a combined margin of 7-0.
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While most MLS sides were jockeying for a better position in the table this week, the Black and Red were idle with a few extra days to prepare for the stretch run as they aim to end a four-year playoff drought.
DC have claimed seven out of nine possible points from their last three league contests while losing just one of their previous six domestic affairs.
With a victory on Sunday, Troy Lesesne's men will not only move into a playoff position but also surpass their number of MLS wins away from home from a season ago (four).
The Black and Red are on a three-match winning run away from home in MLS and have won five successive road games across all competitions.
Their poor defensive structure has been their undoing in 2024, conceding the second-most goals in the Eastern Conference (57) with a goal differential of -13, while the Union are at +6, which at the moment is the only thing keeping DC out of a playoff position.
It has been over a decade since DC United last claimed a victory against the Union at Subaru Park, winning by a 1-0 score in May 2014.
Team News
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In their victory over New York City FC, the Union were missing first-choice goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake because of a sore groin, while Isaiah LeFlore sat out due to a right knee injury.
Jack Elliott was forced out of their previous encounter due to yellow card accumulation, though the English centre-back will likely draw back into the starting 11 on Saturday.
Tai Baribo put his team in front after 15 minutes in the Bronx, Mikael Uhre and Daniel Gazdag netted before the end of the half, while Jakob Glesnes and Jesus Bueno scored in the final 45 minutes.
Last weekend, DC were without Matai Akinmboni and Jackson Hopkins because of ankle issues, David Schnegg was sidelined with a calf injury and Conner Antley is likely out for the season with a torn ACL.
Mateusz Klich is eligible to return from his yellow card suspension, but Lucas Bartlett will miss this encounter after receiving another caution last Saturday.
Christian Benteke converted a second-half penalty to help his side earn a point in their previous game, as the Belgian leads the MLS Golden Boot standings with 19 goals, two more than Chicho Arango, Denis Bouanga and Luis Suarez.
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Rick; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; Flach; Bedoya, McGlynn; Gazdag; Uhre, Baribo
DC United possible starting lineup:
Bono; Herrera, Peltola, McVey, Santos; Dajome, Rodriguez, Ku-DiPietro, Pirani; Stroud, Benteke
We say: Philadelphia Union 2-0 DC United
It is getting close to now or never time for both of these teams, and we trust that the experience of the Union will find a way to win, as they have done in countless big games over the years.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
