Philadelphia Union returns to MLS play with a busy week that features a pair of home matches at Subaru Park. The homestand kicks off on Wednesday night as the club hosts rival New York City FC with the match presented by the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association. Tickets for the match are still on sale and can be purchased by clicking here. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET with fans able to check out the match on PHL17 or stream for free PhiladelphiaUnion.com along with listening to the action by clicking here to listen to the FOX The Gambler broadcast which is available via 102.5 FM, 104.5 HD2, the iHeart App and 1480 AM.
Philadelphia Union returns to MLS play after traveling last week to Mexico City for the opening leg of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Semifinals against Liga MX power, Club America. Despite a 2-0 loss that came via an unfortunate deflection and penalty kick, the Union put up a strong showing for the City of Brotherly Love. After some time off to recover and prepare for the long sprint of the remaining slate, Head Coach Jim Curtin said the squad if fully healthy at the right time.
Wednesday's match will be the midpoint of the Union's and NYCFC's contests in 2021 with the two sides playing three times. NYCFC claimed the opening contest with a 2-0 victory against a 10-man Union side after Jose Martinez was sent off in the first half. Jesus Medina scored for the visitors while ValentÃn Castellanos netted an insurance goal in the second half against a Union side that featured some rotation ahead of the club's CCL competition against Atlanta United FC. Since the loss to NYC, Philadelphia is unbeaten in seven straight home matches, winning five.
NYCFC has allowed just one fewer goal than the Union in league play and comes into Subaru Park unbeaten in their last six straight matches. During that stretch Ronny Deila's side has won four of those six with the pair of draws coming away from home. NYCFC is winless in four straight on the road (D2 L2) since a 2-1 win at LAFC in late May. Last weekend NYCFC picked up a 2-0 win over Inter Miami CF courtesy of a Castellanos brace.
