On Saturday night, the Philadelphia Union will travel down the I-95 corridor to take on D.C. United at RFK Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM EST (TV: The Comcast Network, NewsChannel 8, MLS Live).
Saturday’s match will be the third and final game between the two clubs this 2016 Major League Soccer Regular Season. Philadelphia was victorious in the first two games, which were both played at Talen Energy Stadium. Philadelphia won 1-0 when they played in May off a late Richie Marquez goal, and in July when they won by a 3-0 margin.
However, much has changed since their last meeting July 9th. Philadelphia has only won one game in their last six, with their only win coming against D.C. United back in July. In total, the Union has only picked up four points out of a possible 18 available. United has only lost twice in their last six games as they have gone 1-2-3 in that span, taking six points out of a possible 18.
Union, United look to keep pace in playoff race
The MLS Eastern Conference standings currently have both of teams in the thick of the playoff hunt. Philadelphia occupies fourth place with 30 points in 22 games (1.36 PPG), while United are in eighth place with 23 points through 21 games. In addition to both teams looking to gain some positive momentum, both clubs need three points to keep pace in playoff positioning with only a third left of the MLS Regular Season.
Union's struggles lie in central midfield
The key to Philadelphia’s struggles can be linked to central midfield. In an attempt to try to fix the problem, Philadelphia brought in FC Nantes and United States Men’s National Team midfielder Alejandro Bedoya before the transfer window closed. In addition to Bedoya, Philadelphia brought in former New England Revolution striker Charlie Davies and sent club icon Sebastien Le Toux to Colorado Rapids. According to Jonathan Tannenwald of Philly.com, Davies will be available Saturday and Bedoya could meet up with the team in DC.
In the midfield, Brian Carroll plus either Warren Creavalle or likely Tranquillo Barnetta will start in the double pivot. Barnetta is listed as questionable on MLSSoccer.com, so it will be left to be seen if the Swiss midfielder can go Saturday. Across the attacking three midfielders, Chris Pontius, Roland Alberg and Ilsinho will probably be the three starters with CJ Sapong up top.
D.C. United add Mullins, Igboananike to bolster attack
Since playing the Union in July, United has also made some acquisitions to bolster their squad. Patrick Mullins and Kennedy Igboananike both joined D.C. United in July. Igboananike comes to United from Chicago Fire and has four goals as well as one assists in 19 games. He played 26 minutes in D.C. United last match on July 31st, a tie against Montreal Impact.
Mullins has already made an impact with his new club. In the tie against the Impact, he scored the tying goal in 80 minutes of play.
With the season entering the final stretch, both teams need a positive result to spring them forward into the last third of the season.