Some would call New York a "rival" team.
Others disagree.
There isn't much on-the-field history between the Union and the Red Bulls, but Philadelphia's general disdain for New York sports teams (and vice versa) seems to equate well to the soccer field.
Just taking into account the proximity of the clubs and the traveling fan support at Red Bull Arena and PPL Park, you'd have to agree that New York vs. Philly carries extra weight than other Eastern Conference matchups.
Truthfully, the results have been lopsided in favor of Red Bull. Philadelphia is 2-6-0 all time against New York, with a 0-4 record at Red Bull Arena.
That's where the ninth all-time matchup between the teams will take place on Saturday.
1. April 24, 2010 New York 2 Philadelphia 1 (Red Bull Arena)
Goals: Ibrahim 50', Le Toux 59', Angel 67' (PK)
The first game between New York and Philly was a pretty good one, with Sebastien Le Toux cancelling out Salou Ibrahim's opener before a Juan Pablo Angel penalty kick in the 67th minute.
Le Toux and Alejandro Moreno combined particular well in this game, building from the chemistry they created in the 3-2 win over DC United at Lincoln Financial Field.
It was a mistake from Michael Orozco-Fiscal that gifted a penalty kick to New York. After mistiming a jump, the Union defender handled the ball in the box, giving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. (3:30 on the highlight reel)
Trivia: Current New York coach Mike Petke was still a Red Bull player in 2010. He played 90 minutes and received a yellow card in this game.
2. April 27, 2010 New York 2 Philadelphia 1 (Red Bull Arena)
Goals: Chinn 16', 41, Le Toux 68'
The Union went back to Red Bull Arena just three days later, this time for a U.S. Open Cup matchup.
It was again a disappointing result for the squad, losing 2-1 and almost losing Le Toux to a knee injury in the process.
Both teams made lineup changes, with Conor Chinn's first half brace proving too much for the Union to overcome. It was Philadelphia's third straight loss, and second loss to New York in the same week.
3. October 16, 2010 Philadelphia 2, New York 1 (PPL Park)
Goals: Fred 8', Orozco-Fiscal 28', Borman 48'
Philadelphia's first victory over New York.
The Union were out of the playoff picture at this point, but it was a great chance to go out on a positive note in the final home game of the team's inaugural season.
Fred opened the scoring within 10 minutes, tucking home from point blank range after New York failed to clear a corner kick. It was his fourth goal of the year.
Orozco-Fiscal got redemption for his April handball, converting a Le Toux assist and doubling the lead just 20 minutes later.
Danleigh Borman got a goal back for the visitors, but the Union defense held strong, closing out the 2010 home slate with a win over the Red Bulls.
4. April 9, 2011 Philadelphia 1 New York 0 (PPL Park)
Goals: Torres 68'
Roger Torres picked a hell of a time to score his first Union goal.
A lot of people say this was the most electric atmosphere in PPL Park history. The Union were coming off a 1-0 loss in Los Angeles, but a win against New York would put Philadelphia top of the table in the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia came out playing a 4-2-2-2 formation, with Brian Carroll and Stefani Miglioranzi both sitting deep in the midfield. That frustrated Thierry Henry, who spent most of the match tracking into the midfield to get service from Dwayne De Rosario, Joel Lindpere, and Dane Richards.
As important as this win was, it should be noted in the archives that Philadelphia was extremely lucky throughout the game. Juan Agudelo hit both the post and crossbar in the first half, and New York could have conceivably gone into halftime with a two goal lead.
Still, you have to capitalize on your chances. The Red Bulls didn't and Torres' goal (on his first touch of the game) made the difference.
5. October 20, 2011 New York 1 Philadelphia 0 (Red Bull Arena)
Goals: Richards 8'
A game with playoff implications and a disappointing 1-0 result.
The Union had clinched a postseason berth one week earlier, but a win in this game would have assured the team that they would not be a wildcard representative in the Eastern Conference.
Manager Peter Nowak took heat for starting Zach Pfeffer against the experienced combo of Rafa Marquez and Teemu Taino in the New York midfield.
As such, the Union conceded an early goal to Dane Richards, and had a set piece goal called offside in the second half.
Thankfully, two days later, the Columbus Crew collapsed late against the Chicago Fire. That allowed the Union to keep the third overall seed in the east and avoid a wildcard road trip.
6. May 13, 2012 New York 3 Philadelphia 2 (PPL Park)
Goals: Lindpere 16', Pajoy 31', 46', Holgersson 68', Cooper 78'
For reasons both positive and negative, this one had Freddy Adu written all over it.
The former Union midfielder dazzled in the first half, slicing and dicing his way through the New York defense with a precision that Union fans really hadn't seen before. He served up the assist on Lionard Pajoy's 31st minute equalizer, should have got a second assist on a Pajoy miss, then received a second yellow card for diving in the 43rd minute.
Adu's sending-off was a bizarre moment, but ironically enough the 10-man Union went up 2-1 in the second half on Pajoy's second goal of the game.
You thought the Union would steal 3 points from this match, but late goals from Markus Holgersson and Kenny Cooper squashed any idea of redemption after Adu's red card.
7. July 21, 2012 New York 2 Philadelphia 0 (Red Bull Arena)
Goals: Cooper 43', 58'
The first game against New York for then-interim head coach John Hackworth.
It was also the first time Sebastien Le Toux would face the Union while wearing a Red Bull jersey.
Kenny Cooper stole the show again, scoring twice on New York crosses to bury the smaller and less physical Union.
It was Philadelphia's third straight loss to New York.
8. October 27, 2012 New York 3 Philadelphia 0 (PPL Park)
Goals: Cooper 13', 66', Henry 35'
The playoff-bound Red Bulls cruised to a 3-0 win at PPL Park.
Not much else to say about this one.
Kenny Cooper scored his second brace against the Union, bagging five goals in three games against Philadelphia in the 2012 season.
Contact Union writer Kevin Kinkead at k.kinkead@hotmail.com
