For the first time since 2019, Philadelphia Union faces off against the LA Galaxy on Saturday night with a 10:30PM ET kick that can be watched free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Saturday's match is the midpoint of the Union's three-game roadtrip to start July with the Boys in Blue looking to respond after a 2-0 defeat at Atlanta United FC last time out. With Kai Wagner sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Philly rolled out a unique 3-5-2 lineup with Nathan Harriel at center back and Leon Flach at left back. After a world class finish from Thiago Almada, the Union transitioned back to its 4-4-2 diamond but couldn't penetrate the backline with key blocks in front of Brad Guzan to see out the first half. Philly went all out attack fresh out of the locker room with attacks on the right flank from Olivier Mbaizo and Alejandro Bedoya but again were left frustrated as Atlanta pounced on a counter attack that was finished off by Brooks Lennon for the final score.
While the Union haven't been a stranger to Los Angeles in recent memory it has been five years since they faced off against the Galaxy. In 2019, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had captured the spotlight in the City of Angels and bagged a pair of goals to pushing their unbeaten streak against Philly to seven. Both sides have gone quite opposite directions since they last faced off with the Union one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference while the Galaxy have made the playoffs just twice (2019 and 2022).Â
The Galaxy are riding on a high though after they knocked off LAFC in the latest edition of El Trafico that took place on July 4th. Former Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig shined in the spotlight with major roles in both goals as he set up Tyler Boyd for a golazo and then bagged the game winner in the 73rd minute. With the win against their biggest rivals the Galaxy are unbeaten in their last six league matches dating back to Matchday 15 where they knocked off Real Salt Lake, 3-2. Like Almada last week, Puig is the main focus for Jim Curtin's side with the Spaniard having played every single minute of the 2023 campaign thus far. During that time he's scored just twice and added five assists but is credited with 36 key passes and over 1,200 completed passes.
