Philadelphia Union and Charlotte FC will be looking to open their Leagues Cup journey on a winning note when they face off at Subaru Park on Sunday.
The home side head into this one off the back of an emphatic victory last time out, while their visitors had to make do with a share of the spoils in their most recent outing.
Match preview
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Philadelphia Union made light work of Nashville SC by cruising to a comprehensive 3-0 victory in Sunday's meeting between the teams.
A first-half double from Daniel Gazdag set Jim Curtin's men on their way after which Gazdag completed his hat-trick in the penultimate minute of normal time to seal the deal.
Consequently, The U have moved up to 10th place in the Eastern Conference of the MLS table and are now just a point adrift of playoff contention.
Standing in their way next is an opposing outfit with little to choose from over the previous six editions of this fixture which have yielded two wins apiece and two stalemates.
Since going nine home games without a win between April and early July, Sunday's hosts have won the subsequent two by a combined score of 8-1 and are firing on an all cylinders in front of their fans.
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Charlotte played out an entertaining 2-2 draw against Austin FC in Sunday's encounter at the Q2 Stadium.
After going behind to Alexander Ring's opener, Dean Smith's men turned the game on its head through strikes from Karol Swiderski and Iuri Tavares before they were pegged back by a late Jon Gallagher goal.
With 37 points picked up from 25 league matches this term, The Crown sit sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, four points behind the top four.
Unbeaten in five of their last six away matches across all competitions, Sunday's visitors are certainly no pushovers on the road and will pose a stern test in this one.
Team News
Philadelphia's Daniel Gazdag will be full of confidence heading into this weekend's affair after his three-goal haul last time out.
Isaiah LeFlore remains out of contention for the hosts due to a knee injury and will not play any part here.
Karol Swiderski will be expected to retain his place in Charlotte's XI having netted on his return to action from representing Poland at the European Championships.
Brazilian Junior Urso is yet to recuperate from a lower leg problem, making him a guaranteed absentee for the visitors.
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Wagner, Elliott, Glesnes, Mbaizo; Martinez, Sullivan, Flach; Gazdag, Baribo, Uhre
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Uronen, Privett, Malanda, Byrne; Diani, Westwood; Tavares, Bronico, Calderon; Swiderski
We say: Philadelphia Union 3-2 Charlotte FC
Goals have been in abundance for both teams of late and we expect that trend to continue here.
That said, we just about fancy the hosts to emerge triumphant at the end of the 90 minutes in what should be an exciting clash.
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