Philadelphia Union is back in action on Tuesday night as they host rivals New York Red Bulls in a Leagues Cup Round of 16 showdown at Subaru Park. Don't miss the action starting at 8PM with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
The Boys in Blue advanced to the Round of 16 with another rivalry showdown thriller, getting past D.C. United on Thursday night in a penalty kick shootout. The Union fought their way back to secure the win after falling behind after the first round with finishes from Jack McGlynn, Jesus Bueno and the winner from Olivier Mbaizo.
Philly vs. Red Bull has always produced tight margined contests over the years especially when Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner joined the rivalry. With press vs press, the two teams bring the best out of one another with tremendous moments producing spectacular goals. In 2019 the Union rallied for a pair of two-goal deficits to secure an extra time win in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a chipped goal from Marco Fabian. Two years later it was Jakob Glesnes blast toward the River End in extra time that sent Subaru Park into a frenzy. Just last year the Union took their flair on the road with homegrown Jack McGlynn putting on a show with an impressive flick in the midfield to set up a Mikeal Uhre second-half goal.
Tuesday's contest will be the latest chapter in the Union's rivalry with New York Red Bulls with the Boys in Blue having already knocked off their rivals in New Jersey earlier this year. Squaring off in early May, the Union picked up a 1-0 win behind strong defense and another timely finish from the penalty spot for Daniel Gazdag. The knockout match will be the third time that the two teams have faced off with both going providing some of the biggest moments in Subaru Park history. In 2019 the Union earned their first MLS Cup Playoffs win via a 4-3 thriller that saw the hosts rally back twice from two-goal deficits. In 2021, Jakob Glesnes lashed home a thunderous, 25-yard half volley in the third minute of extra-time stoppage time to see the Union through via a 1-0 scoreline.
The match at Subaru Park in Leagues Cup will be the 42nd matchup between the two sides with the Boys in Blue owning a 17-16-8 advantage since they first crossed paths in 2010. The rivalry has seen its fair share of domination in recent memory as well with the Union unbeaten in their last 10 matches against the New Jersey.
New York Red Bulls claimed the latest bragging rights in the New York derby, getting past New York City FC by a 1-0 margin on Thursday night. Midfielder Omir Fernandez delivered the winner for the Red Bulls, converting from the penalty spot in the 31st minute while former Union goalkeeper Carlos Miguel Cornel racked up the shutout with three saves. Like the Union, Red Bulls claimed the top spot in group play after defeating the New England Revolution in penalty kicks at home in their opener to claim an important second point. In their finale they went up against Liga MX's San Luis and picked up a 2-1 win be thanks to forward Dante Vanzeir getting the game-winner to wrap up a two-goal night.
Tickets for the match are on sale right now so don't miss out as the Boys in Blue look to advance to the Quarterfinals of the first-ever Leagues Cup!
