Game Thread: Philadelphia Union 3 vs New England Revolution 0; Final

Game Updates

90+6′- Final Whistle and the Union that we all love showed up in the second half.

90+1′- We will have at least 4 minutes of stoppage time. Real earns a yellow after Bye runs past Real. Bye is down and grabbing his shoulder and is visibly in pain. The mics really picked up a pop when he went by Real and dropped to the ground. The training staff is on the pitch looking at him.

90′- The Union are setting up for a dangerous set piece from a few yards above the penalty area. But before the kick Gazdag and Wagner are subbed out for Real and Bueno. The free kick is played short to Mbaizo, who plays it back to the top of the box and Elliott skies it over the net.

88′- The corner is defended by the Revs. This is also the first time in a while that they were out of their end. But the Union wins a 1v1 ball and Carranza starts to run up the field. Donovan makes the run as well, he gets the ball and then slips it through the Rev’s Farrell’s legs. Carranza gets the ball and taps it in to make it 3-nil.

86′- The third corner in like three minutes for the Union. This one is played toward the back post. Martinez sends a second chance ball as a shot, which gets deflected for yet another corner.

84′- Corner for the Union after Martinez bounces a ball off the legs of a rev player. Wagner’s service is from the near flag, in front of section 140. The service was sent into the box and headed out for a throw-in. Afterward, Altidore, who just came on, was shown a yellow card.

82′- A very late challenge from the Rev’s Panayotou on Lowe results in a nice free kick for the Union. The chance amounted to nothing.

81′- The U are making their first change of the night bringing on Donovan for Uhre.

78′- Wagner’s service for the corner is sent to the near post, where Elliott’s header goes out for a goal kick. Revs making yet another double switch here Polster and Boateng are replaced by Bajraktarevic and Jozy Altidore. The revs are out of subs as they have used all 5 of their allotment.

74′- Gazdag lines up and sends it to the right side of the net, as the goalie guesses wrong and dives to the left side. Union up 2-nil.

72′- Penalty for Philly. The U play a ball over the top and Uhre brings the ball down and starts to run into the box, where he is brought down by Farrell. Gazdag stands over the spot. The ref is brought over to the revs bench by the fourth official and pulls out a yellow card.

71′- Polster is down and is slowly walking off the field. Arena’s team is just hammered with injuries right now, that he can not lose him.

70′- A great buildup play, with Martinez by passing the revs. He finds an open Carranza, who sends the open shot high of the net.

66′- Wood’s header is blocked by Wagner. That will also be Wood’s last play of the night as he is part of the double change Bruce Arena is making. The changes are Rennicks and Vrioni for Blessing and Wood.

59′- What a SAVE by Blake. Rev’s gets a nice look from the side of the net, but Blake times his outstretched dive correctly and saves it. The second chance ball from New England is sent over the net.

57′- Union with a quick throw-in from Uhre to the open spot at the top of the box. Gazdag has space and picks his head up and slams it into the back of the net. Union is up 1-nil. That is his 5th goal of the season.

46′- We are back underway for the second half.

HALF

45+3′- The ref blows for the half and the two teams are walking towards the locker room. On the way in Woods is seen talking to the ref.

45+1′- The fourth official’s board shows at least 3 minutes of stoppage time will be played before we break for half.

45′- Wood elbows Martinez, who was in the air, and earns a yellow card from the ref.

41′- Gazdag takes a body check near the center of the field from the revs, which earns a free kick. Glesnes plays it short and it was defended by the Revs.

36′- Wagner is down and the Union staff is out to look at him after a high challenge in the air from Bye. He is now on the sidelines grabbing his ribs.

35′- After playing down a man for a hot minute, the Revs bring on Gil’s replacement. The former MVP is replaced by 18-year-old Panayotou.

34′- Play is stopped as Gil is on the ground. The training staff comes on but Gil gets right up and walks off the pitch, takes the armband off, and went straight to the bench.

27′- A great counter ends with a save by the Rev’s Petrovic to keep this game leveled. Martinez gets the ball over the top and runs up the right side. He crosses it to the far post for Carranza, who made a run into the box and gets a head on the ball. But the ball is stopped by Petrovic.

19′- Wood almost opens the scoring bank in this game. Boating, who gets behind the defense, crosses it to a streaking Wood. Wood’s shot just goes wide of the net and out for a goal kick.

14′- The service is well short of the post and defended by the Union.

13′- First corner of the night and it is given to the Revs. Gil’s service will be from the far flag.

12′- Nice counter as Flach picks up the ball and dribbles up the field. He tries to take a shot, which gets deflected and Uhre picks it up to get a shot off, which is saved by New England.

4′- Rev’s Blessing is shown a yellow card after fouling Martinez. Union have a free kick from about 40 yards out and near the center of the pitch. Wagner’s delivery wasn’t anything special and the Rev’s cleared it out easily.

2′- The Union put the ball out of play as Uhrew is still on the ground. The replay shows he was on the bad side of a hard challenge from a Rev’s player.

1′- The game gets underway in Chester. The boys are in the dark blues and are defending the River End here in the first half.

Starting Lineups

Philadelphia Union

Curtin is once again implementing a new formation for the team. This time, the Union will be deploying a five-man defensive line.

5 in the back 😤

📝👉 https://t.co/C4Fngw0yTe#StartingXI | #PHIvNE | #DOOP | @mls pic.twitter.com/U3LG1vwcSO

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 20, 2023

New England Revolution

Here's how we lineup tonight in Philly 💪

Watch LIVE on #MLSSeasonPass

— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) May 20, 2023

Stories to check out

Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution: Rivalry Renewed

The Philadelphia Union will step onto the pitch on Saturday night with an impressive all-time record of 18-8-8 against the New England Revolution. In their previous encounter at Subaru Park, the Union battled their way to a thrilling 2-1 victory, with midfielder Daniel Gazdag converting a game-winning penalty in the 79th minute. Last season, the Union displayed their dominance over New England by remaining unbeaten, securing a 2-1 win at home and drawing 1-1 on the road. The stage is set for another intense clash between these fierce rivals.

Unbeaten Streak: Union’s Impressive Form

The Philadelphia Union are currently riding a remarkable five-match unbeaten streak in MLS play. Their incredible run began on April 15th with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Chicago. Since then, the Union have displayed their attacking prowess, securing three consecutive victories and finding the back of the net seven times. Goalkeeper Andre Blake and the Union defense have played a significant role, keeping two clean sheets during this impressive stretch. The recent draw against D.C. United on Wednesday extended the Union’s unbeaten streak to five matches, making it their longest streak of the season so far.

Subaru Park’s Home Struggles

After a remarkable 13-match home winning streak in MLS play, including playoffs, the Philadelphia Union have encountered a dip in their home form. Out of their last four matches at Subaru Park, the Union have managed to secure only one victory. The team faced difficulties finding the back of the net in their recent match against D.C. United, failing to score. However, the Union has not gone consecutive matches without scoring at home since October 2016, highlighting their consistent attacking threat.

Andre Blake: The Clean Sheet King

Union goalkeeper Andre Blake continues to make his mark as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2016. With his clean sheet against D.C. United on Wednesday, Blake recorded his 66th shutout, surpassing any other goalkeeper during that time span. Notably, Blake has kept a clean sheet against every opponent he has faced more than five times in his MLS career, including an impressive six clean sheets against the New England Revolution. His consistent performances in goal have solidified his reputation as one of the league’s top shot-stoppers.

Injuries/Absences

The following is a list of names from the league’s player availability report.

  Philadelphia Union

• QUESTIONABLE: None
• OUT: None

 New England Revolution

• OUT: Dylan Borrero (left knee)
• OUT: Gustavo Bou (left leg)
• OUT: Nacho Gil (right leg)
• OUT: Henry Kessler (right hamstring)
• OUT: Maciel (left Achilles)
• OUT: Tommy McNamara (left leg)

How to Watch

Where: Subaru Park; Chester
When: 7:39 p.m.; Saturday, May 20, 2023
Streaming: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
English Announcers: Chris Wittyngham, Lori Lindsey
Spanish Announcers: Bruno Vain, Andres Agulla
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic (Dave Leno, Sheanon Williams)
How to listen to home radio broadcast on MLS Season Pass

Officials

Referee: Lukasz Szpala

Ast. Referee 1: Corey Parker

Ast. Referee 2: Justin Howard

Fourth official: Logan Brown

VAR: Edvin Jurisevic

Ast. VAR: Sergii Boiko