MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 05:30:13| >> :600:1536907:1536907:
[monks data]
Philadelphia Union
Major League Soccer
Oct 31, 2022 at 12am UK
PPL Park
New York City

Philadelphia
3 - 1
NY City

Carranza (65'), Gazdag (67'), Burke (76')
Andres Martinez (39'), Glesnes (90+3')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Moralez (57')

Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. New York City FC - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Monday's Major League Soccer clash between Philadelphia Union and New York City FC, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

On Sunday, we will see a rematch of the 2021 Eastern Conference Final as the Philadelphia Union have a chance to avenge that defeat versus New York City FC this weekend at Subaru Park.

The Union are back in this position after blanking FC Cincinnati 1-0 in the last round, while the reigning MLS Cup champions took care of CF Montreal 3-1.


Match preview

Kal Wagner in action for Philadelphia Union on October 20, 2022© Reuters

A year after what the club had hoped would be a historic moment, the Union have an opportunity for redemption on Sunday.

Last season, Philly looked poised to make it into the MLS Cup Final for the first time, but a bout of COVID-19 forced 11 players out of the lineup, including nine starters, as they fought hard but were ultimately defeated by the Pigeons 2-1.

This encounter has been on their minds for a while as they have made no secret that this Sunday is a revenge game against a team they defeated on two occasions in the 2022 regular season, winning two of their last three matches against them at Subaru Park.

In 2022 Philly have been one of the teams to beat from the early going, setting a new club record for goals scored in a regular season (72) and a new record for points (67), as well as a new franchise mark for the fewest goals ever conceded in a campaign (26).

Those numbers helped manager Jim Curtin capture the Sigi Schmid Award for MLS Coach of the Year, as the native of Pennsylvania owns the fifth-highest regular season winning percentage of all MLS head coaches with at least 100 victories (54.5%).

Since a 4-0 defeat at Charlotte FC to begin the month of October, his side have been as compact as ever along the backline, posting consecutive clean sheets, and holding a dangerous Cincy squad off the scoreboard last week.

Sean Johnson in action for New York City FC on October 9, 2022© Reuters

Previous postseason experience seems to have come in handy for Nick Cushing and his NYCFC team, who have recaptured the magic which took them all the way to the MLS Cup title a season ago.

On the road in Montreal last Sunday, the Pigeons came out more determined and composed than the home side, hitting them on the break numerous times, capitalizing on their transition moments, and scoring on three of their four efforts on target.

Rarely do we see this group have fewer than 50% of the possession over 90 minutes, but although they only had the ball for 36% of their match versus Montreal, the visitors showed composure along the backline, managing to limit the scoring opportunities against them.

Since their triumph at the Campeones Cup in mid-September, New York have not conceded more than one goal in any match played, while their six goals scored so far in the postseason is only one fewer than they had in their entire 2021 playoff run.

The Pigeons come into this encounter having won their last two away fixtures by a combined score of 5-2, while they have also triumphed in four straight road playoff games, and they have not lost a postseason encounter in 90 minutes since 2018.

A victory on Sunday would make NYCFC the first defending champions to return to the MLS Cup Final since the Seattle Sounders did that in 2017 after winning it all the previous season.

Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer form:


Philadelphia Union form (all competitions):


New York City FC Major League Soccer form:


New York City FC form (all competitions):



Team News

Daniel Gazdag in action for Philadelphia Union on October 9, 2022© Reuters

Leon Flach had the only goal for Philly in their Conference semi-final triumph as Andre Blake stopped five shots for the clean sheet.

The stellar season by the Union did not go unnoticed as Blake was named Goalkeeper of the Year, and Jakob Glesnes won the Defender of the Year Award, while Cory Burke has three goals in his career versus the Pigeons.

Alejandro Bedoya is listed as questionable with a hip flexor strain, while Curtin made one change to his opening lineup last Thursday as Kai Wagner reclaimed his spot at the back in place of Matthew Real.

Maxi Moralez, who had the equalizer in the East Final last year, became the all-time top playoff goalscorer for NYCFC last weekend, scoring his fourth of the campaign, surpassing Valentin Castellanos and David Villa.

Heber notched the winner last weekend, while Talles Magno, who scored the goal which gave his side the victory against the Union in the playoffs last season, also scored against Montreal, his first since the start of October when they defeated Orlando City 2-1.

Tayvon Gray and Alfredo Morales sat out of the Pigeons' previous encounter, and they are said to have each sustained lower body injuries.

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; McGlynn, Martinez, Flach; Gazdag; Carranza, Uhre

New York City FC possible starting lineup:
Johnson; Callens, Martins, Chanot, Tinnerholm; Moralez, Parks; O'Toole, Rodriguez, Pereira; Heber


SM words green background

We say: Philadelphia Union 1-1 New York City FC (Philadelphia advances on penalties)

Both sides are in fine form defensively, and this game could go either way as they are both well-drilled and disciplined with two goalkeepers who have proven they can steal a game.

We will give the Union a slight edge because they have home-field advantage, plus they might be a little more motivated given the curveball thrown at them before the East Final last season.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:curl


ID:498118:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect14529:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!



Game History

How you voted: TBC vs TBC

TBC
58.3%
Draw
20.8%
TBC
20.8%
24
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Gonzalo Higuain in action for Inter Miami on September 13, 2022
Read Next:
Sunday's Major League Soccer predictions including Inter Miami vs. Montreal
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Buccaneers
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!