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[monks data]
Philadelphia Union
Major League Soccer
Sep 22, 2024 at 11.15pm UK
Subaru Park
DC United

Philadelphia
4 - 0
DC United

Uhre (13'), Gazdag (16', 70'), Baribo (51')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Herrera (25'), Dajome (90+3')

Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. DC United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Philadelphia Union and DC United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two teams desperate to make the MLS Cup playoffs will square off on Sunday with a massive three points at stake as the Philadelphia Union host DC United at Subaru Park.

A 5-1 win over New York City FC on Wednesday has the Union in the final Eastern Conference playoff position, above DC United on goal difference, with the latter playing to a 0-0 draw with NYCFC last weekend.


Match preview

Daniel Gazdag celebrates a goal for the Philadelphia Union on July 20, 2024© Imago

On Wednesday, the Union put their playoff desperation to good use, scoring three times in just over a half hour and pouring on the pressure throughout the 90 minutes.

That was their second triumph in their previous three league fixtures, and it has them back in control of their playoff destiny heading down the season's final stretch.

Jim Curtin's men have an opportunity this weekend to win consecutive MLS encounters for only the third time all year and the first time since July.

Philly have points in three of their previous four home matches in this competition but were beaten in their last league contest at Subaru Park against the Columbus Crew (1-0).

In 2024, the Union have been uncharacteristically poor at home, winning just three domestic affairs, tied with the San Jose Earthquakes for the fewest in MLS.

The Union are unbeaten in six successive competitive fixtures versus DC, winning the last two league matches against them in Chester by a combined margin of 7-0.

Martin Rodriguez and Ted Ku-DiPietro of DC United celebrate a goal on August 31, 2024© Imago

While most MLS sides were jockeying for a better position in the table this week, the Black and Red were idle with a few extra days to prepare for the stretch run as they aim to end a four-year playoff drought.

DC have claimed seven out of nine possible points from their last three league contests while losing just one of their previous six domestic affairs.

With a victory on Sunday, Troy Lesesne's men will not only move into a playoff position but also surpass their number of MLS wins away from home from a season ago (four).

The Black and Red are on a three-match winning run away from home in MLS and have won five successive road games across all competitions.

Their poor defensive structure has been their undoing in 2024, conceding the second-most goals in the Eastern Conference (57) with a goal differential of -13, while the Union are at +6, which at the moment is the only thing keeping DC out of a playoff position.

It has been over a decade since DC United last claimed a victory against the Union at Subaru Park, winning by a 1-0 score in May 2014.

Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer form:


Philadelphia Union form (all competitions):


DC United Major League Soccer form:


DC United form (all competitions):



Team News

Philadelphia Union strike Mikael Uhre reacts to a missed opportunity on August 4, 2024© Imago

In their victory over New York City FC, the Union were missing first-choice goalkeeper and captain Andre Blake because of a sore groin, while Isaiah LeFlore sat out due to a right knee injury.

Jack Elliott was forced out of their previous encounter due to yellow card accumulation, though the English centre-back will likely draw back into the starting 11 on Saturday.

Tai Baribo put his team in front after 15 minutes in the Bronx, Mikael Uhre and Daniel Gazdag netted before the end of the half, while Jakob Glesnes and Jesus Bueno scored in the final 45 minutes.

Last weekend, DC were without Matai Akinmboni and Jackson Hopkins because of ankle issues, David Schnegg was sidelined with a calf injury and Conner Antley is likely out for the season with a torn ACL.

Mateusz Klich is eligible to return from his yellow card suspension, but Lucas Bartlett will miss this encounter after receiving another caution last Saturday.

Christian Benteke converted a second-half penalty to help his side earn a point in their previous game, as the Belgian leads the MLS Golden Boot standings with 19 goals, two more than Chicho Arango, Denis Bouanga and Luis Suarez.

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Rick; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; Flach; Bedoya, McGlynn; Gazdag; Uhre, Baribo

DC United possible starting lineup:
Bono; Herrera, Peltola, McVey, Santos; Dajome, Rodriguez, Ku-DiPietro, Pirani; Stroud, Benteke


SM words green background

We say: Philadelphia Union 2-0 DC United

It is getting close to now or never time for both of these teams, and we trust that the experience of the Union will find a way to win, as they have done in countless big games over the years.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Game History

How you voted: Philadelphia vs DC United

Philadelphia Union
72.2%
Draw
22.2%
DC United
5.6%
18
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Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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