Only one reason matters in this one: Revenge.
The Union fought their way into the playoffs in 2018 and were undone by a resurgent New York City side led by a newly-healthy Yangel Herrera in midfield. The tight Yankee Stadium pitch strangled the Union’s spacious attack, and quickfire goals allowed the home side to play things safe.
It has been almost eight months since the Pigeons bounced Philly, and these are not the same sides that face off back then. Jim Curtin has the Union in first place, but Dome Torrent is hot on his heels thanks to a team that simply refuses to lose. One loss through 14 matches points to a side that has been squeezing points from stones over and over.
If you absolutely, positively need at least one more reason to tune in, how about a revitalized NYC attack, led by Heber, going up against a strong Union back line? Jim Curtin recently said Jack Elliott has been in All-Star form in 2019, but Heber is a lot for any defender to handle.
Going the other way, Philly will be looking for Sergio Santos to assert himself after struggling to do so in New England.
But again, leave everything else aside. This is the team that knocked the Union from the playoffs in 2018. This is a measuring stick; and Philly is ready.
Catch all the action from Yankee Stadium beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on PHL17 on Saturday, June 29.
