Following the home victory over Atlanta United FC on Wednesday night, the Black-and-Red now quickly return to the road, this time traveling to Chester, Pa., to face the Philadelphia Union for the third time on the season but the first time on the road. The Saturday, June 24 meeting with the Union is the first of four consecutive road matches for United in a difficult stretch that also includes matches in Montreal, Dallas, and Seattle.
United hosted the Union on April 1 and picked up their first win of 2017 off of a 2-1 victory over the I-95 rivals. Ben Olsen’s side netted two goals in 27 minutes—their first goals of the season—in a strong showing in front of the RFK faithful. Eighteen minutes into the match, winger Lloyd Sam jumped on a loose ball off of a failed Union clearance and cut the ball back into the box for José Ortiz, whose shot was deflected by a Union defender and ended up in the back of the net. United struck again seven minutes later, this time off of a penalty kick after a Philadelphia hand ball in the box. Luciano Acosta tucked the PK into the bottom left corner of the goal, and the Black-and-Red picked up their first win of the season.
Now, in their final regular-season meeting with the Union, United will look to avenge the May loss and gain an edge over Jim Curtin’s side. After breaking the scoring drought against Atlanta, the Black-and-Red will push to continue that momentum and widen the gap between Philadelphia at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. With recent goals from Acosta and Nyarko, as well as new acquisition Deshorn Brown settling in and heroic goaltending from Bill Hamid giving more breathing room to the attack, United will attempt to spread the offensive wealth further against a Union side that has lost three straight matches.
“We know them very well and they know us very well," head coach Ben Olsen said. "It’s always a physical matchup. It’s going to be a lot of fun."
Just as he was in United’s first match against the Union and in the victory over Atlanta, Luciano Acosta will be vital in Saturday’s match, as the Argentine has been the creative force driving the D.C. attack so far in the season. The midfielder’s importance to results is evident when considering that United have won every match in which Acosta has scored since he joined the side in 2016. Acosta will need to continue spurring United’s attack in this stretch of limited offense, whether that means creating his own chances on goal or catalyzing opportunities for his teammates.
For the Union, Saturday will be about recreating momentum. After starting the season winless in their first eight matches, Philadelphia went on a four-match win streak, including shutout victories over the New York Red Bulls and Houston Dynamo. While Philadelphia then fell on the road to Real Salt Lake and New York City FC, the Union will be pleased to be back home with a prime opportunity to go on another winning run.
