The Philadelphia Union return home this weekend after a poor result last Saturday against the Chicago Fire to face the Montreal Impact. The Union will look to get back on track with a win in front of their home fans. The Impact will also be looking to rebound after a midweek loss to Orlando City SC.
The Union and Impact are 4th and 5th in the Eastern Conference respectively. Both teams will be looking to leg up in the playoff push as the Union and Impact are fighting for 4th place. The difference between finishing 4th and 5th place is the difference between hosting or traveling to a knockout playoff game.
Union need to get back on track
If the Union want to enter the playoffs in 4th place or higher and want that home playoff game, they absolutely need to win this match. If they win, they put a 6 point gap between themselves and Montreal.
The Union head out on the road for 3 straight games after this weekend against the Portland Timbers, Toronto FC, and the New York Red Bulls. Those are three tough teams to play away from home which makes this weekend that much more important.
With Alejandro Bedoya and Andre Blake returning to the lineup this weekend, the Union will be hoping that it gives them an added boost. Against Chicago, Philadelphia lacked Bedoya’s calming presence on the ball. Tranquillo Barnetta will be able to be pushed forward in the #10 role where he is most comfortable.
Montreal looking to recreate previous matchup
The last time Montreal faced the Union, Didier Drogba scored a hat trick and Montreal defeated the Union 5-1. Drogba and company will surely be looking to recreate that game. If they are to do it, though, they will have to do it without their starting goalkeeper, Evan Bush. Bush received a red card on Wednesday against Orlando when he took down Carlos Rivas for a penalty.
Bush has started every MLS game this year for Montreal, but this week Montreal will probably turn to Eric Kronberg. If Philadelphia are to win this weekend, they will need to keep Drogba and Ignacio Piatti contained, something they failed to do the last time these two teams met.
With only a handful of games left for each team this season, this game could go a long way in each team’s playoff hopes. Tune in this Saturday at 7PM.