Match Preview: Union welcome familiar foe to Chester for Leagues Cup Round of 16

After edging out DC United in penalties in the Round of 32, the Philadelphia Union look to continue their Leagues Cup run against the New York Red Bulls on Monday Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. EST.

Where have we seen this before?

The U and Red Bulls have a storied past in knockout stages. In 2019, the Boys in Blue secured their first-ever playoff win against the Red Bulls in a 4-3 thriller at Subaru Park, where former Union midfielder Marco Fabian helped erase an early 3-1 deficit with an improbable goal in extra time. In 2021, a memorable playoff run to the Eastern Conference Final began with a nailbiter against New York at home. Still, a 123rd-minute goal by Jacob Glesnes gave the Union a 1-0 victory over their rival.

On Monday Tuesday, the two sides will meet at Subaru Park in the Leagues Cup Round of 16. This match marks the 42nd meeting between the two sides, with the Union earning 17 wins to Red Bull’s 16. The two sides have played to a draw eight times in the series. Additionally, the U is unbeaten against their northern rivals in the last ten matches, with the Red Bulls’ last victory coming in September 2019.

However, the Red Bulls roll into Chester unbeaten in Leagues Cup play. In their first match, New York secured two points by defeating the New England Revolution in penalties. Then, a 2-1 victory over Liga MX side San Luis resulted in New York topping the group. In the Round of 32, the Red Bulls won the latest edition of the Hudson River Darby, defeating their inner-city rivals NYCFC 1-0 on a 31st-minute penalty converted by midfielder Omir Fernandez.

On the other side of the ball, the Boys in Blue started their first Leagues Cup with a bang. A pair of wins against Liga MX sides Tijuana and Querétaro allowed the U to soar into the Round of 32, scoring a combined eight goals through the group stage while only conceding twice. Daniel Gazdag remained an essential piece for the Union, bagging a hat-trick against Querétaro to top off four goals in two games through group play.

Entering the knockout stage, the Union survived a tightly contested matchup against D.C. United. After multiple massive stops from goalkeeper Andre Blake kept the game scoreless through 90, the U converted five penalties through six rounds to cut United’s Leagues Cup run short. Defender Olivier Mbaizo proved decisive from the spot, slotting home the game-winning penalty to send the Boys in Blue to the next round.

In a press conference Sunday morning, head coach Jim Curtin spoke about the quality of play against D.C., claiming that “we can win in different ways… we can play in a street fight and roll our sleeves up and take a couple of punches to the face but get up and fight back so we can win.”

While the Union were not on their top form Thursday, they may look to change the narrative in the next match with their newest signing. Tai Baribo, a 25-year-old Israeli forward, put pen to paper with the U last Wednesday. Curtin explained that Baribo is “training fully with us now” but is still in “building fitness mode.” While his status is uncertain for Tuesday’s match, the Leagues Cup allows new roster additions until August 11th, when the Quarterfinals are set to be played.

Looking forward, the Leagues Cup provides the Union with a unique opportunity to control their destiny without travel. The 2022 MLS Supporters’ Shield Standings determine home-field advantage in this tournament, where the Union finished second behind LAFC. The Union would host their opponents through the Semi-Finals and only travel if LAFC reached the Leagues Cup Final.

The Union faithful have seen substantially different versions of their squad thus far in the Leagues Cup. Still, the club’s goal remains the same going into Monday Tuesday. Curtin affirmed, “There’s a trophy on the line, there’s Champions League on the line… these players are motivated and ready.”