Philadelphia Union enters their July slate on the road, traveling south to take on Atlanta United FC on Sunday, July 2nd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Don't miss the Union's road match on Sunday starting at 4PM ET on FOX, Fox Deportes and free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV!
The Boys in Blue enter the upcoming contest with momentum following a dominant 4-1 win against Inter Miami FC last weekend. Head Coach Jim Curtin’s squad allowed just one goal early in the second half, but stifled any other offensive attacks from their opponents through the final whistle. Goals from forward Julián Carranza, defender Jakob Glenses, midfielder Leon Flach, and a Miami own-goal kept Philadelphia ahead, keeping the squad engrained in a battle for second place in a tightly packed Eastern Conference.
The Eastern Conference standings are deadlocked, with no more than 1 point separating the top four teams with the exception of Cincinnati, who leads the lot by at least 7 points with 43. Leaving Atlanta with three points in tow would be a position-solidifying or improving affair as Columbus Crew inches upward toward Philadelphia, in fifth with 31 points.
Philadelphia is presently ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference with 34 points, sitting two spots above Atlanta United with 29. Atlanta most recently suffered a demoralizing loss against New York Red Bulls in New Jersey on the 24th, leaving the game scoreless. The game finished 4-0, snapping Atlanta’s seven-match unbeaten streak.
Atlanta United Head Coach Gonzalo Pineda’s squad has amassed a 7-8-5 record this season with the Five Stripes picking up six of those wins in front of their home fans. With the winning ways at home in front of the The Gulch, Atlanta’s notoriously raucous Supporter Section, they have only lost once so far in 2023 in the ATL.
Last season, the Union went unbeaten against Atlanta United, picking up four points during their run to the 2022 MLS Cup. The squad they’ll face Sunday is not the same foe they faced last year. Gone is Josef Martinez with that Five Stripes offense now led by striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, a Greek International Designated Player who made his MLS debut in March. In 15 starts for the Atlanta, he's racked up 10 goals and an assist.
22-year-old midfielder Thiago Almada, who became the first active MLS player to win a World Cup last year as a rostered player on Argentina’s National Team, has shined on the stateside stage in his second season in the league. He’s a relentless shooter, recording seven goals through 63 shots plus nine assists in 17 games played. Almada earned 2022 Newcomer of the Year honors and he’s on target to surpass last season’s statistics already.
Both Giakoumakis and Almada are headed tothe 2023 MLS All-Star game against Arsenal is D.C. alongside Philadelphia Union midfielder José Martinez.
The contest in Georgia is the first of a two-game stand against Atlanta United FC – the second will come on October 4th at Subaru Park, less than two weeks before the close of regular season play.
Tune in to watch the action at 4PM ET on FOX, Fox Deportes and free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV!
