The Philadelphia Union will travel to RFK Stadium on Sunday to take on D.C. United with kickoff scheduled for 5:00 PM ET (TV: ESPN2). This will be the fourth matchup between the two sides this season. The Union have won twice but lost the earlier match at RFK against United. In the last matchup, the Union beat United in US Open Cup play at PPL Park despite being down a man for most of the game.
“[We're playing] a very good D.C. team this weekend, a team we respect a great deal, a team we have played a ton in the recent weeks,” said Union manager Jim Curtin at his Friday press conference.
New faces on display in this match
“[Alvaro] Saborio brings a new element, a target forward for them so we’ll have to be ready for them,” Curtin added about United’s new acquisition, who was picked up after Real Salt Lake traded the Costa Rican international for United’s Luis Silva.
Injuries in play for both teams
There are quite a few injuries for both sides. For Philadelphia, midfielder Andrew Wenger is still suffering concussion-like symptoms and will be out for this Sunday’s game. Wenger’s possible replacement will most likely be Eric Ayuk or possibly Zach Pfeffer. Furthermore, centerback Richie Marquez is suffering an ankle injury. “It’ll be a miracle, to be honest, if he’s ready to go,” Curtin said of Marquez’s injury. With Marquez out injured, Curtin will most likely turn to Ethan White to fill in. White filled in serviceably on Tuesday against the New York Red Bulls in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals.
To add to those two key injuries, full back Raymond Lee will also be back. While on the surface this injury may not matter, actually, with Lee out, the Union have no other true fullback on the roster at the moment. On the lack of fullbacks, Curtin remarked that “We have a plan who will move back if, unfortunately, Ray [Gaddis] or [Fabinho] takes a knock or is sent off. I have an idea for the short term for Sunday to get us through that game.”
For DC United, there are a few key injuries as well. Starting goalkeeper Bill Hamid is out after he had surgery on his left hand and right knee. Andrew Dykstra will get the start in net with Hamid out. Also, United will be without midfielder Collin Martin, defender Sean Franklin and midfielder Chris Pontius.
One thing to look out for the Union is how much more they have left in the collective tank after the 120-minute game on Tuesday, which included being down a man as well. To help rectify any tired legs, Curtin gave the Union Wednesday and Thursday off from practice. Luckily, for the Union, forward CJ Sapong will be fully rested after he did not play on Tuesday, because he was suspended after picking up a red card. Sapong has been very much in-form recently and, with some extended rest, the Union will look to ride his hot hand.