As the MLS Eastern Conference heats up, Philadelphia Union will host Charlotte FC at Subaru Park this Saturday, looking to solidify their position at the top of the table.
The Union, under the guidance of Jim Curtin, are enjoying a remarkable 11-match unbeaten run across all competitions, boasting a four-point lead in the standings.
Despite a recent goalless draw against FC Dallas, their performance has been impressive with seven victories during this streak.
At home, the Union have not lost in nine matches, establishing Subaru Park as a tough venue for opponents.
However, defensive lapses have plagued the team, with the backline failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five home games, including a dramatic 3-3 draw against Inter Miami after leading by two goals.
On the other hand, Charlotte FC comes into this matchup riding a wave of confidence after a much-needed 2-0 victory over Toronto FC.
This win is particularly significant for head coach Dean Smith as it halts a streak of five losses in the previous seven matches, providing a much-needed boost for the team.
Charlotte’s recent success also marked the end of a four-game winless streak on the road, and they will aim for back-to-back away victories for the first time this season.
Defensively, however, they have struggled away from home, conceding four goals in two separate matches—4-2 against the Red Bulls and an intense 4-3 loss to DC United.
The match will be streamed live in the United States and worldwide on Apple TV through the MLS Season Pass, allowing fans to catch all the action.
For those abroad wishing to watch the match using their usual streaming services, utilizing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) might be necessary for secure online access, with options like NordVPN recommended for streaming sports.
Kick-off for the Philadelphia Union vs. Charlotte FC match is scheduled for 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET on Saturday, June 14, at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Team news indicates that the Philadelphia Union will miss several key players due to international duty, including Quinn Sullivan, Andre Blake, Nathan Harriel, and Danley Jean Jacques.
There are also doubts over striker Mikael Uhre’s fitness, along with Ian Glavinovich, which may lead Tai Baribo to start as the focal point of the attack.
Tai Baribo has been in exceptional form, leading the league scoring charts with 13 goals this season.
Additionally, Jovan Lukic is expected to partner with Jesus Bueno in midfield, while Jakob Glesnes will likely step in to fill the defensive void left by Harriel.
For Charlotte FC, the lineup that secured victory against Toronto is expected to remain consistent despite the absences of top scorer Patrick Agyemang and veteran defender Tim Ream, who are also away on international duty.
The team continues to cope with injuries to Nathan Byrne and Nimfasha Berchimas.
In Agyemang’s absence, either Kerwin Vargas or Tyger Smalls could step into the forward position, while the attacking midfield trio—Wilfried Zaha, Pep Biel, and Liel Abada—will remain unchanged in Smith’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
In midfield, Brandt Bronico is anticipated to partner with Ashley Westwood again, with Andrew Privett and Adilson Malanda tasked with holding the defensive line.
Both teams are poised for an exciting match filled with stakes, and the Philadelphia Union will be eager to maintain their unbeaten run while Charlotte FC seeks to build momentum following their recent victory.
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