After a big road win in San Jose, the Philadelphia Union return home to face Columbus Crew at PPL Park with kickoff scheduled for 7:00PM EST (TV: The Comcast Network, MLS Live).

This will be the third matchup between the two MLS Eastern Conference sides this season. In their first matchup in late April, the Union were embarrassed at MAPFRE Stadium by the Crew, 4-1, thanks to a two goal and one assist performance by Ethan Finlay. In early June, Philadelphia put together one of their best performances of the season by returning Columbus’ favor with a convincing 3-0 win.

However, many circumstances will be different from that June win for Philadelphia and Columbus. The main difference will be Columbus’ Kei Kamara. Kamara, who only played 25 minutes in the last time these teams met, is the MLS leading goalscorer with 18 goals and will certainly be the main focus of the Union’s defensive gameplan. The task of stopping Kamara will likely be laid at the feet of centerbacks Steven Vitoria and Richie Marquez. Both centerbacks will have to be highly alert against Kamara, who will look to exploit the relatively new centerback pairing.

To add, Columbus winger Ethan Finlay will be another key player to watch. Finlay is second in MLS in assists this season and has also tallied eight goals as well. Philadelphia’s left back Fabinho will likely have the task of trying to slow down the All-Star winger. Fabinho is known for his do or die risky defense, which sometimes leaves his fellow defenders out to dry. It will be worth watching to see how Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin instructs Fabinho in defensive tactics on Saturday night.

To put into context how crucial the MLS All-Star duo of Finlay and Kamara are to the Crew’s offense, here are some numbers. The duo has totaled more than half of the Crew’s goal this season or, in numbers, 26 of 45. To add, the duo also has 20 of the Crew’s 52 assists.

For Philadelphia, there will be some personnel changes as well. In terms of personnel changes from June, Union starters Sheanon Williams is no longer with the team, Andrew Wenger is still injured, and Fernando Aristeguieta has fallen down the depth chart due to C.J. Sapong’s form. Maurice Edu will continue to be out with his groin injury leaving Vitoria and Marquez to be the likely pairing for Saturday. Also, Cristian Maidana will be serving his second game of his two-game suspension, leaving Tranquillo Barnetta to slot into the number ten role for his second straight game.

In the end, this is another elimination-like game for the Union if the team wants to make a real playoff push. Despite being only one point back of Montreal, Philadelphia has also played four more games than the Impact. With this in mind, Philadelphia needs to hope for a lot of help from the other Eastern Conference teams, but also needs to take all three points again on Saturday.