The international break is over and it’s now the time for second chances. After a disappointing campaign for New York Red Bulls, finishing as the second lowest seed in sixth heading into the post-season, Chris Armas and his team have the chance to build upon fresh foundations as they travel to Philadelphia this weekend to begin the quest for MLS Cup glory.
Three consecutive defeats between matchday 28 and 30 left the Red Bulls with a slight fear in their eyes of missing out on a tenth consecutive year in the play-offs, but back-to-back wins against Portland Timbers and Philadelphia put them back on track, all that was required was two positive results to secure third and a home fixture.
A lacklustre and underwhelming performance against D.C. United, a game that should’ve been won, made the dream less likely, and a humiliating defeat to Montreal Impact on decision day saw any hope perish as they went slipped from third to sixth. Philadelphia swooped in to take third somewhat fortuitously after back-to-back defeats against Portland and New York City.
Neither side enter the first meeting in the play-offs in good from, which could make it an entertaining spectacle as both will have a point to prove. Despite the defeat at the Red Bull Arena last month, the Union boast the better record between the two in recent times, winning three and drawing one of the last five.
In fourteen meetings in Philadelphia, the spoils are even with six wins apiece and two draws. Another draw is not in question because their must a victor on the night in the new format, whether it be in normal time, extra-time or even penalties.
Match Information
Date: Saturday, October 20, 2019
Kick-off: 15:00 (ET), 20:00 (GMT)
Venue: Talen Energy Stadium
Referee: Christopher Penso
Broadcasting: Fox Sports 1 (USA), Sky Sports Football (UK)
Team News
Philadelphia Union
Injured: Sergio Santos (hamstring strain), Alejandro Bedoya (ankle)
Doubt: Kacper Przybyłko (foot)
New York Red Bulls
Injured: Florian Valot (anterior cruciate ligament), Amro Tarek (ankle)
Doubt: Kyle Duncan (hamstring), Marc Rzatkowski (hamstring)
Current Form
Philadelphia Union
New York City 1-2 (H) | Columbus Crew 2-0 (A) | San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 (A) | New York Red Bulls 2-0 (A) | Los Angeles 1-1 (H)
New York Red Bulls
Montreal Impact 3-0 (A) | D.C. United 0-0 (H) | Philadelphia Union 2-0 (H) | Portland Timbers 0-2 (A) | Seattle Sounders 4-2 (A)
Previous Meetings
22.09.19: New York Red Bulls 2-0 Philadelphia Union
09.06.19: Philadelphia Union 3-2 New York Red Bulls
30.01.19: Philadelphia Union 3-2 New York Red Bulls
21.10.18: Philadelphia Union 0-1 New York Red Bulls
17.06.18: Philadelphia Union 2-1 New York Red Bulls
Predicted Line-ups
Philadelphia Union
Blake – Gaddis, Elliott, McKenzie, Wagner – Monteiro, Medunjanin – Ilsinho, Aaronson, Picault – Wooten.
New York Red Bulls
Robles – Duncan, Parker, Long, Lawrence – Cásseres, Davis – Sims, Kaku, Royer – White.
Score Prediction
Philadelphia Union 1-2 New York Red Bulls (A.E.T)
