MLS Regular Season | Match #13
New England Revolution at Philadelphia Union
Saturday, May 20 | 7:30 p.m. ET
Subaru Park | Chester, Pa.
Watch: _MLS Season Pass_ on Apple TV
- English Talent: Chris Wittyngham (play-by-play), Lori Lindsey (analyst)
- Spanish Talent: Bruno Vain (play-by-play), Andres Agulla (analyst)
Listen: 98.5 The Sports Hub (English), 1260 AM Nossa Radio (Portuguese)
- English Talent: Brad Feldman (play-by-play), Charlie Davies (analyst)
CURRENT FORM
New England Revolution
2nd in Eastern Conference (7-2-3, 24 pts.)
Last Result | 2-1 loss at Inter Miami CF
Carles Gil scored his third goal of the season to match Giacomo Vrioni and Bobby Wood for the team lead, but the Revs saw their eight-game league unbeaten run snapped last weekend at DRV PNK Stadium in a 2-1 loss to Inter Miami CF. FC Cincinnati’s midweek win over CF Montréal then saw New England slide to second place in the Eastern Conference, though they could regain the top spot with a win on Saturday night at Subaru Park.
This will be the Revolution’s third straight road game after trips to Toronto and Miami, and it will see them face a familiar foe on Rivalry Week. The Revs and Union have done battle 11 times since the start of the 2020 season, and nine of those meetings have finished as either draws or one-goal games.
Philadelphia Union
6th in Eastern Conference (5-4-3, 18 pts.)
Last Result | 0-0 draw vs. D.C. United
Philadelphia made a run to the Concacaf Champions League semifinals with two-legged victories over Alianza (El Salvador) and Atlas (Mexico), before ultimately falling to Los Angles FC, 4-1 on aggregate, in a rematch of last year’s MLS Cup final. During that run the Union struggled in the league, starting the year 2-4-2.
Jim Curtin’s side has recovered well in recent weeks, however, going 3-0-1 in their last four MLS games to climb back into the playoff places in the East. The Union were held at home in a midweek showdown with D.C. United, batting to a 0-0 draw at Subaru Park.
KEY PLAYERS
Revolution midfielder Carles Gil
Every successful team needs a reliable centerpiece, and Carles Gil is once again proving to be that player for the Revolution in 2023. The club captain and 2021 MLS MVP scored his third goal of the season last weekend at DRV PNK Stadium, pushing him into a tie for the team lead with Giacomo Vrioni and Bobby Wood. Gil, however, holds the edge in the Revolution’s golden boot race as he also boasts a team-leading four assists.
That type of player will be particularly important on Saturday night against one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams. Gil does have a history of success at Subaru Park, assisting on both goals in the Revolution’s 2-0 win over the Union in a playoff meeting in 2020, ending Philadelphia’s season after winning the Supporters’ Shield.
Union midfielder Dániel Gazdag
In the conversation for MLS MVP last season, Dániel Gazdag was Philadelphia’s most productive attacker with 22 goals and 10 assists while starting all 34 league games. The 27-year-old Hungarian then tacked on two more goals in the playoffs as the Union came within a penalty shootout of winning MLS Cup.
With four goals and an MLS-leading seven assists in 11 appearances, Gazdag has been involved in 11 of the Union’s 17 goals this year. He scored the game winner from the penalty spot in the most recent meeting between the Revs and Union, a 2-1 win for Philadelphia last July at Subaru Park.
STATUS REPORT
Revolution
New England’s availability report remains unchanged with six players out for Saturday night’s trip to Philadelphia: Dylan Borrero (ACL surgery), Gustavo Bou (left leg), Nacho Gil (right leg), Henry Kessler (hamstring surgery), Maciel (left Achilles), and Tommy McNamara (left leg).
Union
Philadelphia boasts a clean bill of health with regards to injuries, but they will be without a trio of young stars on Saturday as Jack McGlynn, Quinn Sullivan, and Brandan Craig are all currently with the U.S. Under-20 Men’s Youth National Team for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Argentina.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
New England Revolution sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena
“It’s going to be a difficult game, and they're a good team playing at home with good players, it'll be challenging. We'll be eager to respond coming off a loss. So, I think it'll be a good game and probably be a tight game and real challenge.”
New England Revolution midfielder Noel Buck
“I mean, it’s obviously very difficult with a player like Gustavo [Bou] out. I think our forwards have stepped up. I think Bobby Wood has been really, really good, he’s a good player. These injuries are going to happen throughout a season, and we’ve got to have players who can step up when they need to.”
