When the struggling New England Revolution come to town on Saturday, there are some big reasons to check out Philadelphia Union’s matchup with a team that is going to be aggressive and physical all over the pitch.
Desperation
Five losses and two draws over their last seven have put New England on the brink of falling out of the playoff race and uncomfortably close to mimicking Orlando City’s steep descent down the standings. Like the Purple Lions, the Revs have found incredible ways to lose during the current run of poor form. There was the complete loss of control at the end of the LA Galaxy match, the inability to close out Orlando, and then the eyebrow-raising handball that helped the Union to three points just over a week ago.
Philly must be ready for a team that will come out with a lot of energy; that’s how Friedel’s men made their initial run up the standings, and it’s how the first year head coach will try to get them back on track.
Three in a row
Philly is in the midst of a run of six games against Eastern Conference opponents and the next four are against teams below them in the standings. Since the fifth game of the year, a disheartening loss to Orlando City, the only team the Union have lost to that was below them in the standings is Toronto. The next four matches are now against clubs that want to be where the Union are now: Above the red line. Knocking off New England will give Philly nine points out of nine to start that run and a nice cushion before they head to Audi Field where DC have been rolling people lately.
Goals, plural
When they score more than one goal, the Union win. That’s how it’s been all season to this point. Additionally, it has been a month and a half since the Revs allowed fewer than two goals in a game. So there is a strong chance you will see a celebration or two if you show up on Saturday. Cory Burke has been on fire lately, and Fafa Picault will be available for selection after serving a one match ban for yellow card accumulation.
Picault’s return gives Jim Curtin a wide range of options with which to attack New England: Speed, trickery, and power are all available and the Union coach will need to pick out the right combination to overwhelm a shaky defense on Saturday.
