Philadelphia Union’s spring homestand will be broken up by a short trip to the nation’s capitol this weekend when they take on D.C. United on Saturday night. Don't miss the action starting at 7:30PM with MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Head Coach Jim Curtin’s squad have a chance to shift momentum back into their favor after having suffered two consecutive uncharacteristic home losses. Despite disappointment with their recent misfortune, the Union’s collective focus is locked on the opponent ahead.
“After two games like this, we have to go out there and just run through walls to win the next game, it doesn't matter against who,” Hungarian midfielder Daniel Gazdag said.
Philadelphia still sits in the middle of the pack of the Eastern Conference standings, as their recent losses have been their only losses since the season’s start. Their record is 3-2-4, sitting one spot above D.C. at seventh as Head Coach Troy Lesesne’s squad has played one more game than Philly, and have claimed one more loss. Otherwise, they have fared similarly so far in 2024.
Their marquee attacking threat is an expected one, as 33-year-old Designated Player Christian Benteke is still at the top of his game in his third season with the club. He’s scored eight goals so far, tied for second in the Golden Boot race with Cristan Arango, who helped facilitate one of the goals in Real Salt Lake’s 2-1 win against the Union last weekend.
Benteke’s eight scores have been supplemented by contributions for six other individuals for their 14 goal total, two of which coming from fellow Designated Player Mateusz Klich and five-year MLS vet Jared Stroud, who’ve each tallied four and three assists respectively. That trio will be one to watch on at Audi Field on Saturday, as all three are expected to be available to play.
2024 is Lesenes first season at the helm of the club, and he’s led his group well so far, in the opening months of his three-year deal. Prior to signing on as former D.C. United Head Coach Wayne Rooney’s successor, he led the New York Red Bulls during part of the 2023 MLS season after spending 2022 as an assistant.
Both D.C. and Philadelphia Union’s last opponent was Seattle Sounders, and they both lost by a one-goal margin. To see which team comes out on top in an Eastern Conference battle, you can tune in for FREE on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as all Major League Soccer games area available without a subscription.
