Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution | 2020 MLS Match Preview

Dylan Butler

2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 24
Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution
Subaru Park – Chester
November 8 – 3:30 PM ET

TV: ABC, ESPN Deportes

After missing out on their first chance to make club history, the Philadelphia Union will try and capture a first-ever Supporters' Shield title when they host the New England Revolution on Decision Day presented by AT&T at Subaru Park.

The Union (13W-4L-5D) could have secured their first major trophy in Week 22, but suffered a 2-1 loss to Columbus Crew SC. That loss, coupled with Toronto FC's victory over Inter Miami, put the Eastern Conference foes level on points per game with identical records heading into the final match of the regular season. Should the sides remain even, the Union would capture the Shield on goal differential.

Playoff scenarios:How Decision Day could impact the playoff field
What's at stake: Key races to watch for during Decision Day's 13 games
Playoff schedule:Match schedule, dates, times and TV details

The Revs (8W-6L-8D) are still playing for playoff positioning following a thrilling 4-3 home win over D.C. United on a rainy Sunday night at Gillette Stadium. This is the fifth meeting this season, and fourth in the regular season with the Union 3W-0L-1D in the previous four games, including a 2-1 win on an Anthony Fontana stoppage-time golazo.

Philadelphia Union

It’s all to play for at Subaru Park, where the Union are a perfect 8W-0L-0D this season, but the Revs will be a difficult team to break down, with very little separating the sides this season. And while New England have already qualified for the postseason, they will be looking to prevent a celebration at their expense.

For the first time in club history, the Philadelphia Union are headed to the Concacaf Champions League. With Columbus Crew SC's 2-1 loss to Orlando City SC on Wednesday, the Crew are eliminated from contention for the Supporters' Shield. That means the Union get the CCL spot awarded to the Shield winner, with Toronto FC the only other team in contention, and only eligible to clinch a CCL spot through winning the Canadian Championship.

"To have clinched that is very big for the club," head coach Jim Curtin said on a virtual press conference Thursday. "It puts us on the international stage, which will be a great experience for our players. … It’s an incredible honor to the club and the people who worked so hard to achieve it. We just missed out on it last year, but as you’ve seen this club keeps taking steps forward in the last five seasons. It’s a good achievement and we’re very proud.”

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Matt Real (D) - undisclosed injury
- OUT: Andre Blake (GK) - fractured hand
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None

New England Revolution

The Revolution put an end to a three-game winless skid, coming back for a 4-3 win against D.C. United at Gillette Stadium on Sunday evening. Teal Bunbury scored a pair of goals in the final quarter of the match to lead the Revs to victory, the sixth brace of his MLS career. New England enter Decision Day in sixth place in the East at 1.45 points per game, but wins in Chester have been tough to come by. The Union have won nine of the past 12 league meetings between the clubs, outscoring New England 26-5 in those victories, including wins in the last six meetings in Chester.

“We’re playing Philadelphia next weekend and I don’t believe we can brag too much about our results against Philadelphia this year,” Bruce Arena said after the match. "So, that’s going to be a real challenge and hopefully when it’s all said and done, we’re in a position to be in the last eight teams in the Eastern Conference during the playoffs.”

Updated team roster
Injury Report:
- OUT: Luis Caicedo (M) - right knee injury
- OUT: Cristian Penilla (F) - left foot fracture
Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: Matt Polster (M)
International duty: None