"We have to grow one more time to finish the season strong and prepare us for the Postseason." Philadelphia Union looks for a matinee bounce-back win to rejuvenate the squad down the final stretch
"It's one of those weeks that we wish we could forget, but if we're not feeling uncomfortable it means we're not growing and I think we're at a point in the season now where we have to grow one more time to finish the season strong and prepare us for the Postseason." - Philadelphia Union Head Coach, Bradley Carnell Oh, how quickly things can change! This time last week, the Philadelphia Union were heading out West to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps with a chance to extend their Supporters' Shield lead, and still had hopes of punching their ticket to the 2025 US Open Cup Final with a win down in Nashville mid-week. But after a 7-0 loss on the road to Vancouver, the club's worst in franchise history, and a 3-1 elimination from the US Open Cup at the hands of a Sam Surridge hat-trick, faint sounds of the panic button are starting to ring in Philadelphia with just four games remaining. With only a few weeks before Decision Day, the lingering question is: Can the Philadelphia Union buckle down and win a trophy this season? "I'm hoping it's a sell-out crowd, and I'm hoping the boys can empty the tank for the crowd and the crowd can get behind us; that's the first step. And then the other step is taking care of business at home regardless of opponent, regardless of whatever situation other teams are in." - Bradley CarnellChester, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Union Milan Iloski celebrates with defender Olwethu Makhanya (29) after scoring against the New York Red Bulls during the second half at Subaru Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesHow to watch Union vs New England RevolutionWhen: Saturday, September 20th @ 2:30 pmWhere: Subaru Park - Chester, PAWhere to Watch: MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+Philadelphia Union vs New England Revolution Betting OddsPhiladelphia Union: -220New England Revolution: +425Draw: +340 Preview By The Numbers
Current Record
Philadelphia Union: 17W-6D-6L, 1st in East
New England Revolution: 8W-8D-14L, 11th in East
Current Form – Last 5 MLS Games
Philadelphia Union:D, L, W, W, L
New England Revolution: L, W, L, L, D
Expected Goals:
Philadelphia: 60.11 xG (3rd best)
New England Revolution: 43.81 xG (22nd best)
Total Goals Scored:
Philadelphia Union: 49 goals scored (T-7th best)
New England Revolution: 39 goals scored (T-13 best)
Expected Conceded Goals:
Philadelphia: 36.0 xGA (4thnd best)
New England Revolution: 45.0 xGA (21st best)
Goals Conceded:
Philadelphia Union: 33 goals conceded (T-2nd best)
New England Revolution: 44 goals conceded (10th best)
Top Goal-Scorers:
Philadelphia:Baribo – 16Damiani – 5Uhre – 4
New England Revolution:C. Gil – 10Campana – 6Chancalay – 4
New England Revolution:C. Gil – 11Feingold – 4Ganago – 3
Head-To-Head
Union’s total record vs New England Revolution:
26 Wins, 8 Draws, 11 Losses
Goals Scored vs New England Revolution:
81 Goals Scores
Goals Conceded vs New England Revolution:
49 Goals Conceded
Last 5 Games vs New England Revolution:
–W (2-0)–W (5-1)–W (3-0)–W (1-0) *MLS Cup Playoffs*–W (3-1) *MLS Cup Playoffs*
Top Active Goalscorer:
Tai Baribo – 4
New England's Season So Far After a slow 0W-1D-3L start to the season, Caleb Porter's team started to turn things around with just 1 loss in the following 9 matches across all competitions. Following up that streak of good form, New England managed to win just once through the next 13 games. Since the start of August, New England has a record of 2W-1D-3L, bringing their total on the year to 8W-8D-14L. After their 1-1 draw at Home against Toronto this past weekend, the New England Revolution decided to part ways with 2nd year Head Coach Caleb Porter. During his time in charge of the Revs, Porter amassed a total record of 23W-13D-39L, was out-scored 104 Goals For to 145 Goals Against, and had a Points Per Match total of just 1.09. Assistant Coach Pablo Moreira will serve as the Revolution's interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025 season. According to reports from GIVEMESPORT's Tom Bogert, New England has contacted the former long-time head coach of the Philadelphia Union, Jim Curtin, who spent nearly a decade in the driver's seat down in Chester. "Sometimes a change can reinvigorate a team and sometimes it can take longer, it's our job to make sure it takes longer than just the first-game bump and we're going to have a lot of resiliency. They have some good quality, they have some good attacking prowess, whether it's through Carles Gil or Langoni on the sides" - Bradley CarnellImage Provided / Philadelphia UnionUnion's Season So Far The Union have truly been one of the surprises of the season after failing to make the playoffs in 2024 and firing Head Coach Jim Curtin after a decade at the helm last season. After an impressive 5W-1D-3L start to life under Bradley Carnell, the Union put the league on notice after a string of 13 unbeaten matches across all competitions from the end of April through late June. Coming into Saturday's match, the Union still find themselves top of the Eastern Conference and Supporters' Shield standings, but are undoubtedly going over the biggest speed bump they've encountered this season after losing three of the last five across all comps, being outscored six goals for to 10 goals against during that span, and crashing out of the US Open Cup Semifinals this past Tuesday. "We've found out and learned the lesson the hard way that if we have too many individual errors, we're going to concede a lot of goals. And it's not about blaming or shaming the individual, it's about growing as a team collectively, so there's been a lot of accountability staring with myself and moving through the ranks with the rest of the staff and the players." - Bradley CarnellImage Provided / Philadelphia Union
Predicted Starting XI Bradley Carnell has not only dealt with fatigue due to fixture congestion and travel over the last week, but will also be without a number of important players come Saturday afternoon. Both Olwethu Makhanya and Jovan Lukic will miss out over the weekend due to suspension from Yellow Card Accumulation. Andre Blake is still day-to-day for Saturday's match. He looks to be trending towards a return sometime before Decision Day arrives, but Carnell's not quite sure he's ready to go against New England this weekend and will wait for a final update from Andre after training on Friday. Formation: 4-2-2-2GK: RickRB: Westfield, CB: Harriel, CB: Glesnes, LB: WagnerCDM: Bueno, CDM: DanleyCAM: Q. Sullivan, CAM: IloskiST: Baribo, ST: Uhre "Dre is day-to-day. He was on the field today in a certain capacity, and I think tomorrow we'll have another evaluation of how he's doing, and he knows his body best, so he'll give us an honest opinion on if he can go or not. For sure, his presence is vital and valuable, and we feel that he team feels that. Knowing that Rick has done a great job, but to have your captain out here does mean a lot. We'll see, we have a plan both ways."- Bradley Carnell Image provided / Philadelphia UnionBe sure to return to Philly Sports Network for more Philadelphia Union and other soccer content!Follow our Union team on Twitter: Tim Lovenguth | Jimmy King | Nate TennesenSteve Beavon | Eric Frysinger | Paul FrenzelTomiwa Aderinoye | Christopher Babos | Liam Jenkins Doop on Union fans!