Brotherly Game Archive
Union Set Sights on RSL as Playoff Race Heats Up
A historic international break makes way for the last leg of the regular season. The Philadelphia Union, who are unbeaten in their last 12 matches, look to keep the good times rolling against Real Salt Lake. The most important matches of the season line up over the next few weeks for the Boys in Blue, so a tune-up against a Western Conference opponent is just what the doctor ordered as the U aim to continue climbing the Eastern Conference table.
Salt Lake Seeks to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
A disastrous second half of the season took a turn for the better just before the international break. RSL defeated the New England Revolution 3-0 to snap their 13-match winless streak. This was the longest winless run in club history and dropped RSL to 11th in the Western Conference table with 32 points.
Now, the Claret and Cobalt sit just four points out of a Wild Card play-in spot, making every game crucial down the stretch.
In their win over the Revolution, they found their spark again, with Spanish forward Sergi Solans bagging a brace. He extends his lead as the club’s leading goalscorer with 11 on the season. If RSL look to knock the Union off away from home, they will need a solid performance from their 23-year-old Spaniard.
With the loss of their second-leading goal scorer, Zavier Gozo, Real will need help from their supporting cast to make a splash in Chester. Unfortunately, the club also lost Diego Luna and Emeka Eneli to knee injuries, along with three of the club’s centerbacks.
So, who could step up for RSL in their time of need? On the attacking side, look no further than Guinean international Morgan Guilavogui. The 28-year-old has three goals and five assists this year, making headway as the club’s leading goalscorer with its current availability.
Also, 19-year-old American Aiden Hezarkhani is a player to watch in the forward attack. Hezarkhani scored his third goal of the season in the second minute against NE, and he will continue to be a threat to the Union this evening.
Defensively, Americans Philip Quinton and DeAndre Yedlin hold a sound back three, but with 44 goals conceded this season, they will leave plenty of gaps for a red-hot Union team to exploit.
Keys to Success
Can RSL get on the board early? That is the key for tonight’s matchup. Real hopped on the scoresheet in the second minute of their 3-0 route of New England; if they can take command and pack the back, they could walk out of Chester with some additional points on their Eastern Conference tour.
Union Attack Hitting Its Stride at the Right Time
The Union stock their lineup to full potential after a historic international break. Cavan Sullivan became the youngest goal scorer in USMNT history in just his second senior cap, Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield snatched their first senior team caps, and Andre Blake posted a shut-out for Jamaica against El Salvador.
Now, the team looks to build on their work against Orlando City. While short-staffed, the Union did not back down from their mid-table counterpart. Milan Iloski bagged a hat trick, and with a goal from Indiana Vassilev, the Boys in Blue climbed to sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 4-2 win over the Lions.
Now, the roster is restocked, and the Union aims to maintain their form against a struggling RSL side.
Looking at this attack, it is hard to ignore Iloski’s form through the second half of this campaign. He is the only player in Major League Soccer this year to score multiple hat-tricks, and he now joins the Golden Boot conversation with 16 goals.
Additionally, with Cavan Sullivan’s return, the attack keeps its crucial second gear. The Union remains dangerous this year because of all of the ways they can hurt you, and adding back the essential pieces of Cavan and Danley Jean Jacques from break only bolsters an already streaking attacking group.
Defensively, a strong first half gave way to two late goals against Orlando, but Neil Pierre’s return as the anchor of this back line should clean up the mistakes against a Salt Lake team that has only 40 goals on the season.
My player to watch tonight will be Quinn Sullivan. RSL’s back three could give the older Sullivan brother a chance to find space behind on the flanks. The 22-year-old is waiting for his moment to make a mark this 2026 season, and tonight might be it.
Keys to Success
I think the Union wins comfortably at home. If the group meshes back together after all the returns from break, they should have no problem getting back into the win column and extending their unbeaten streak.
You can catch the match at 7:30 PM on Apple TV+.
