Philadelphia Union return to action this Saturday in an international friendly against German DFP Pokal Cup champions Eintracht Frankfurt. Here are three reasons to head down to Talen Energy Stadium to catch this Sister City Clash.
Eyes on the kids
Friendlies are a good chance to see what young players can do in game speed situations. The Union may need to lean more heavily on players like Derrick Jones, Anthony Fontana, and Marcus Epps in the second half of the season. Pitting them against the experience of Frankfurt is how coaches assess if these young players are capable of handling starts in difficult environments.
Additionally, the Union will likely give minutes to familiar faces such as Jack Elliott and Richie Marquez as they try to figure out what their center back options will be like if either teenaged starter needs rest.
Fabian Herbers, who has been on fire with Bethlehem Steel recently, could put in a shift as well.
Sister-City Showdown
German kings have been crowned in Frankfurt, but it’s also known as the ‘cradle of democracy in Germany since the first ever German parliamentary meeting took place in the city.’ Philadelphia, of course, is the birthplace of democracy in the Americas, and we’ve got a hall and a bell to prove it.
Also, both cities are closely associated with their own meat sandwich (if, that is, you consider the hot dog a sandwich…)
We want the cup, they have a cup
Frankfurt staged an unlikely run to the DFP Pokal Cup last season, knocking off Bayern Munich in the final. The Union are deep into their own US Open Cup run right now, and this friendly will be a good chance to work on a few tactics before facing Orlando City SC on Wednesday July 18th.
Frankfurt is still in the early stages of their preseason prep, so they are likely to be a bit loose tactically. That could be good for the Union, who will be facing an Orlando side that will still be learning how to play under new coach James O’Conner.
