PREVIEW – Playoffs: Union and Revs Meet Again in Round One
Anyone tired of seeing the Union and Revolution play yet?
The two teams will meet for a 6th time this year in the first round of the MLS Playoffs.
How We Got Here
Photo: Wes Shepherd/Philadelphia Sports Nation
The Philadelphia Union were the Supporters Shield winners and first place in the Eastern Conference. The Union get the 1 seed and home ties throughout the playoffs. Unlike in past years, there is no bye for the 1 seed. Instead, the Union were to await the winner of the play-in game of the New England Revolution VS Montreal Impact.
The New England Revolution would go on to beat Montreal in dramatic fashion, with Gustavo Bou scoring the game-winning goal in stoppage time of the second half, setting up their meeting with the Union.
Head to Head This Year
As mentioned, this will be the 6th time the two teams will face off this season. The first meeting was back in the Round of 16 of the MLS is Back tournament, where the Union would eliminate the Revs 1-0 with Sergio Santos scoring the game-winning goal.
The two teams would then meet 4 times in the regular season due to MLS scheduling teams close to each other to limit travel as much as possible. The Union went on to win 3 of those games, and a draw in the other. The most recent being on November 8th, when the Union defeated the Revs 2-0 to clinch their first trophy, the Supporters Shield.
What to Look Out For
Andre Blake
Announced today was the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake will return from injury and be available for the game. This will solidify the Union defense and give a boost to the team. The only Union player on the injury report a day prior to the game is Jack De Vries.
Rest
Another factor is the rest. The Revolution will be just 4 days past playing a hard-fought 97 minutes, while the Union would have been rested since November 8th. The only Union players who have seen action since are Midfielder Jamiro Monteiro and Defender Olivier Mbaizo, who were called up to the national teams for their respective countries.
At first, the belief was any player who left on international duty would likely miss round 1 of the playoffs due to mandatory quarantine periods. However, the MLS ran chartered flights to players to allow for safe travel, and players to be available for round 1. Therefore both players should be available for selection.
Bruce Arena
The biggest factor for the Revolution is Bruce Arena. Arena is one of the most decorated coaches in American soccer history, holding a record 5 MLS titles and 3 Supporters Shield wins. While the Union are favored to win this game and are the better team on paper, you can never take for granted a Bruce Arena led team. He will have his team prepared and focused.
Union Nation Predictions
Skyler Hoffner // 2-1 Union
I say the Union will win 2-1, goals scored by Przyblko and Burke.
Sean McMenamin // 3-1 Union
Union win 3-1. Goals scored by Sergio Santos, Alejandro Bedoya, and Cory Burke. Philadelphia will dominate this game from the opening minute and prove they are the better team.
Ryan Hall // 3-0 Union
I believe the game will be close at the beginning, but the Union score late in the first half and use their fresh legs to finish off the Revs in the second. Sergio Santos, Brenden Aaronson, and Cory Burke will get the goals.
You can catch the game on national TV on ESPN on November 24th at 8 pm ET.
The winner will go on to play Orlando City SC in the Quarterfinals.
Featured Image: Wes Shepherd/Philadelphia Sports Nation
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