One of the most attractive fixtures in this weekend’s MLS schedule is a clash between 1st placed Philadelphia Union and 4th placed New York Red Bulls in an all-Eastern Conference tussle at the Talen Energy Stadium with just 4 points separating the two teams ahead of Saturday night.
Philadelphia Union have been in pretty good nick of late as they return to Pennsylvania for this Saturday night’s clash against New York Red Bulls on the back of a 3-2 win away at Minnesota United.
The hosts have lost just 1 of their last 9 matches overall in the MLS which was a 3-1 loss at home to Portland Timbers, but 5 wins from these last 9 matches have helped lift Philadelphia to the top of the Eastern Conference where they hold a slender 1 point margin over 2nd placed DC United.
Philadelphia had started their season with a bang earlier as the hosts had put together an impressive 5-match winning streak which included wins over Columbus Crew, Dallas, Montreal Impact, Cincinnati and New England Revolution.
Things appear to have gone off the boil in recent weeks as Philly haven’t won any of their subsequent three home matches - draws with Seattle Sounders and Colorado Rapids were either side of the defeat to Portland Timbers.
New York Red Bulls also make their way into this important clash with Philadelphia Union in good recent form as the visitors are unbeaten in their last five matches which includes 4 wins from these 5 games with victories recorded against Dallas, Atlanta United, Cincinnati and Real Salt Lake.
Results away from home started in a slow, sluggish and disappointing manner as New York had suffered defeats at Chicago Fire and New England Revolution and could only muster a single point in draws with Columbus Crew and Sporting Kansas, but recent results on the road have perked up.
Red Bulls have recorded back-to-back wins at Dallas and Cincinnati with 3-1 and 2-0 wins respectively, and having lost just 2 of their last 8 encounters with Philadelphia Union, the visitors look fairly well placed to get something from their trip to the Talen Energy Stadium on Saturday night.
New York are therefore seeking a third win on the trot on their travels and all three points here would see them reduce the deficit on Philadelphia Union to just 1 point.