Philadelphia Union vs. Minnesota United | 2018 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

Philadelphia Union vs. Minnesota United
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 32
Talen Energy Stadium — Chester
October 6 - 7:30 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

With just one loss in their last nine league games, the Philadelphia Union could leapfrog over Columbus Crew SC into fourth in the Eastern Conference standings with a win, while Minnesota United FC are looking to play spoilers with a third consecutive victory.

The Union are coming off a goalless draw against Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium, while the Loons knocked off New York City FC, 2-1, at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

This is the second all-time meeting with the teams playing to a 1-1 draw last September.

Philadelphia Union

In a pivotal match against Columbus, Philadelphia (14-12-5) went to MAPFRE Stadium and earned a 0-0 draw Saturday night.

In a match with few scoring chances, the Union thought they took the lead late in the first half on a Jonathan Mensah own goal, but it was disallowed after Video Review as a result of a Cory Burke foul on Lalas Abubakar on the buildup. Harrison Afful had a late chance, but Andre Blake made a stunning save to ensure both teams shared the points.

“A lot of travel, a lot of miles on the legs,” Jim Curtin said. “We kept three guys fresh, so about a third of the team with Fabinho coming in and giving us a really big 90 minutes. Warren Creavalle, excellent tonight, broke up a ton of plays for us. Mark McKenzie, I thought, was incredible. Overall, this team, again, when individuals are called upon, they step up in big ways.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: D - Josh Yaro (right adductor sprain); QUESTIONABLE: D - Matt Real (left knee sprain), M - Ilsinho (quad strain), M - Borek Dockal (left ankle sprain)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Andre Blake — Keegan Rosenberry, Jack Elliott, Auston Trusty, Raymon Gaddis — Alejandro Bedoya, Haris Medunjanin — CJ Sapong, Borek Dockal, Fafa Picault — Cory Burke

Minnesota United

It’s now three games without defeat and two straight wins as Minnesota (11-16-3) defeated NYCFC, 2-1, at home on Saturday night.

Angelo Rodriguez opened the scoring in the 20th minute and tacked on a second goal before halftime to double the Loons lead. After Collen Warner was sent off for his second bookable offense, Rodney Wallace pulled NYCFC back a goal in second-half stoppage time, but that was as close as the visitors got.

“I was really pleased with us in the first half,” Adrian Heath said. “I thought our two front guys in the first half made the midfield four do their job, because of the set-up from the two front men. They took away their third midfield player from them. And I thought our pressing, and when to press, and where to press, was superb in the first half."

Suspended: M - Collen Warner
Suspended after next caution: M - Miguel Ibarra
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: M - Sam Cronin (cervicogenic dysfunction), M - Kevin Molino (torn left ACL), M - Ethan Finlay (torn ACL), F - Abu Danladi (right leg injury), M - Collin Martin (right ankle injury); QUESTIONABLE: F - Romario Ibarra (hamstring injury)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Bobby Shuttleworth — Jerome Thiesson, Michael Boxall, Brent Kallman, Francisco Calvo — Maximiano, Fernando Bob — Miguel Ibarra, Darwin Quintero, Rasmus Schuller — Angelo Rodriguez