Union-Red Bulls Preview
The Philadelphia Union ended one of their worst losing streaks with a win over the top team in the Eastern Conference.
Another skid seems entirely likely with a daunting road stretch beginning Sunday against the New York Red Bulls before next weekend's rematch in D.C - two venues in which Philadelphia has managed one win in 12 matches.
"They have a good team right now, very talented, and it's a tough place to play," Philadelphia coach Jim Curtin told the club's official website. "It's a nice stadium and a nice field, but until we win there we can't say much about it. We have to go there and get a result - talk becomes cheap."
The Union (2-7-3) had lost four straight for the second time in franchise history before last Sunday's 1-0 home win over D.C. United. It looked as if they'd settle for a draw until Zach Pfeffer scored in the third minute of stoppage time to end the skid, as well as a five-match winless streak on which they'd been outscored 11-3.
One the road, however, Philadelphia still has everything to prove. It's 0-4-2 this season while conceding a league-high 15 away goals and is 1-8-4 dating to July 4.
In last season's series with New York (4-1-5), each club earned four points from three matches with the Red Bulls winning 2-1 at home on April 16, 2014. Philadelphia's Sebastien Le Toux scored in all three matches, but he is yet to score in 12 this season.
The Union have never won at Red Bull Arena with New York holding a 9-3 scoring edge over a 5-0-1 span of home dominance. That doesn't sit well with Curtin, a Pennsylvania native.
"They don't like us and we don't like them," Curtin said. "It's Philly-New York and that's the way you're kind of raised in this area and that's part of what a rivalry is."
For New York, the season began with similar numbers as the Red Bulls jumped out to a 3-0-2 start. Since then, however, they're 1-1-3 after a 0-0 draw at FC Dallas on May 15, though holding high-scoring Dallas scoreless in its own building should bring some confidence into a match with one of the East's early season stragglers.
Some of that defensive success has to do with rookie Kemar Lawrence, who has started seven matches at left back.
"We've been impressed with him, and it's really hard to take him off the field right now," coach Jesse Marsch told the club's official website.
At home, New York is 3-0-2 with an 8-3 scoring edge and a 14-2-5 run in all competitions dating to June 27. Thirteen of those wins have come in the league, which trails only Los Angeles' 16 in that time.
Much of the success can be attributed to Bradley Wright-Phillips, who scored twice in their last home match - a 2-1 victory over New York City FC on May 10 - and the defending MLS Golden Boot winner has 26 goals in his last 22 home matches.
Defending the Red Bulls' attack will be trickier than normal for Philadelphia with Maurice Edu suspended for yellow-card accumulation and fellow defender Ray Gaddis' status uncertain. Gaddis, who has started 54 consecutive MLS matches, suffered an ankle injury against D.C.
The Union could also be without Fernando Aristeguieta due to inclusion in Venezuela's preliminary Copa America roster. Aristeguieta leads the club with three goals.
New York defender Matt Miazga is away with the U-20 U.S. national team.