Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Major League Soccer clash between Philadelphia Union and Charlotte FC, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Philadelphia Union will host Charlotte FC on Sunday, seeking a win to solidify their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Meanwhile, the visitors head into this contest looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games while maintaining a top-five spot.
Match preview
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Philadelphia Union’s five-game unbeaten run came to a dramatic end with a 4-3 defeat to Cincinnati last time out.
The first half finished 1-1 after Tai Baribo cancelled out Kevin Kelsy‘s opener for Cincinnati. Luciano Acosta restored the lead four minutes into the second half, but Jesus Bueno levelled again for the Union before Luca Orellano put the home side ahead on the hour mark.
The game came alive again in the first minute of stoppage time when Baribo grabbed his second of the night, making it 3-3. However, Cincinnati’s Acosta completed his brace nine minutes later, breaking Philadelphia Union hearts.
Jim Curtin‘s side sit ninth in the Eastern Conference table on 20 points, level with 10th-placed Atlanta United on both points and goal difference.
This will be the second meeting between Philadelphia and Charlotte this year, with last month’s encounter ending goalless. The hosts have, however, won both previous home fixtures against Charlotte, scoring three times without conceding.
Despite their dominance at home historically, the Union have struggled this season. In nine home matches, Curtin’s men have only won once, drawing three and losing five.
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Meanwhile, Charlotte are enjoying a decent campaign and head into this fixture in a confident mood, having not lost in their last three games.
So far in June, the Crown secured victories against Atlanta United (3-2) and D.C. United (1-0). However, their last league outing saw them draw 2-2 with Orlando City after playing most of the game with ten men.
After taking the lead through Kerwin Vargas, Dean Smith‘s side were reduced to ten men after Scott Arfield was sent off. Orlando eventually took advantage, equalising through Duncan McGuire in the 64th minute. Charlotte regained the lead through Brandt Bronico in the 77th minute, but Facundo Torres found the net for Orlando four minutes later.
The result leaves Smith’s side in fifth position in their section, 12 points behind conference leaders Inter Miami with a game in hand.
Having secured just their second away win against Atlanta United, the Crown will hope to record consecutive victories on the road for the first time this season.
Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer form:
Charlotte FC Major League Soccer form:
Team News
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Philadelphia will be without Jose Martinez and Daniel Gazdag who are both away on international duty.
The trio of Alejandro Bedoya (quad), Isaiah LeFlore (knee) and Andre Blake (knee) will all miss out through injuries.
Charlotte will be missing the services of Brazilian midfielder Junior Urso who is out with a lower leg injury, while Arfield is suspended after the red card against Orlando.
Brandon Cambridge is questionable as he looks to recover for this clash in time with a thigh issue.
Vargas, who has scored in successive matches, will be part of an attack that will likely include Liel Abada and Patrick Agyemang.
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Semmle; Harriel, Elliott, Glesnes; Flach; Bueno, McGlynn, Wagner, Mbaizo; Baribo, Uhre
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Uronen; Bronico, Westwood, Diani; Abada, Vargas, Agyemang
We say: Philadelphia Union 1-1 Charlotte FC
Philadelphia have a strong record at home in this fixture, but their home form this season has not been great while Charlotte have not been bad overall, but their away form is not impressive. The last two meetings between these sides have ended in draws, and we think this will be the same.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.