The Philadelphia Union will travel down the Interstate 95 corridor this weekend to take the side currently in first place in the Eastern Conference in D.C. United. This is the second time in three weeks that these two teams have played each other. Last game, second half substitute Zach Pfeffer found himself in the right place at the right time to give Philadelphia a lead they would end the game with. The difference this time, you may ask, is that they should have C.J. Sapong available for this game as well as the usual available starting XI. Also back this week is captain Maurice Edu, who was suspended for the game against the Red Bulls due to caution accumulation.
Also returning to the Union and available for selection into the starting XI this week is Fernando Aristeguieta. He had been spending time with the Venezuelan National Team trying to make the roster for the Copa America tournament. Injuries of note for the Philadelphia Union are to Defender Raymon Gaddis and Forward Conor Casey. DC United also has a few injuries of their own with Forwards Fabian Espindola and Luis Silva, and Midfielders Nick Deleon and Michael Farfan.
DC United will also be playing their third game in eight days, as they played at Gillette Stadium against the New England Revolution last Saturday and then lost 1-0 at Portland on Wednesday, and now are home to play Philadelphia again. Will Philadelphia be able to keep up a high-powered attack against a tired D.C. United side? Or will D.C. United have enough gas left in the tank to hold Philadelphia off and walk out RFK with either a win or a draw?
We will find out Saturday at 7pm on the Comcast Network (Philadelphia), Comcast SportsNet – Washington, and MLS Live. Overall, these two teams have played a total of 13 meetings with Philadelphia and DC both having a 5-5-3 record. The Union and DC have played a total of six times at RFK Stadium with Philadelphia’s record being 1-2-3 and DC having a record of 2-1-3. The referee’s for tonight’s seventh matchup between the two sides are: Ted Unkel, Jeff Muschik (Bench side assistant), and James Conlee (opposite side assistant), and the fourth official is Kevin Terry Jr.