Philadelphia Union play host to Atlanta United on Saturday night looking to kick-start their promising opening to the MLS campaign.
At a time when the home side sit in fifth position in the Western Conference table, Atlanta are down in 11th spot, albeit just four points adrift of their next opponents.
Match preview
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On the back of a 12th-placed finish in the Eastern Conference in 2024, the fanbase of Philadelphia Union would not have anticipated a fast start to this season.
However, Bradley Carnell's side are sitting in fifth place in the standings after eight games, helped by winning four of their opening five matches.
Since then, though, the wheels have come off. Despite netting 10 times in their first three outings, the Union have netted just three times across the following 450 minutes.
The positive is only three strikes being shipped across the most recent four games, yet Carnell will have concerns about the inconsistency of his team.
At Subaru Park, Philadelphia have conceded just four goals in as many games, a record that will be put to the test against a talented Atlanta attack.
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Eleven goals have been netted during Atlanta's opening eight fixtures, Emmanuel Latte Lath and Miguel Almiron scoring seven of them.
That said, Ronny Deila's side have conceded 13 times at the other end, leaving his side with just two wins since the start of the campaign.
When taking into consideration that six matches have been played on home territory, the Five Stripes are under pressure to deliver on their travels.
Atlanta have also kept just the one clean sheet during 2025. Stretching back to the middle of September, that is the solitary shutout in 20 MLS outings.
Team News
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Philadelphia Union will hope to recall first-choice goalkeeper Andre Blake after he missed the defeat to New York City FC with a groin injury.
Young deputy Andrew Rick made an error for the decisive goal and would drop back down to the substitutes' bench if Blake is passed fit.
Mikael Uhre is an option to return in attack, potentially in place of Bruno Damiani.
Mateusz Klich is in contention for a recall to the Atlanta United midfield with Tristan Muyumba at risk of being dropped.
Barring any fitness issues, that could prove to be the only alteration as Deila sticks with the same front three.
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Harriel, Glesnes, Makhanya, Wagner; Sullivan, Jacques, Lukic, Vassilev; Uhre, Baribo
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Gregersen, Abram, Amador; Slisz, Miranchuk, Klich; Lobjanidze, Latte Lath, Almiron
We say: Philadelphia Union 1-1 Atlanta United
Despite the difference in league positions, Atlanta have enjoyed a marginally better run of form of late. With that in mind, we are backing the visitors to earn a share of the spoils to frustrate their hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
