Match Preview: Union Look to Take Unbeaten Streak to Seven In League Play, As They Welcome Struggling Inter Miami
Chester — After defeating Atlanta United 1-0 last weekend, thanks to a Tai Baribo penalty kick, which gave him his league-leading 11th goal of the season, the Union (9-3-2, 29 pts) take their six-game unbeaten streak up against Inter Miami (6-3-4, 22 pts).
The Union are looking to become one of four teams (FC Cincinnati, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Columbus Crew) to reach 30 points through 15 games. No MLS season has featured four teams that have reached the 30-point mark through 15 matches, with the current record being three clubs accomplishing the feat in both the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In 2020, Toronto FC, Seattle Sounders FC, and the Columbus Crew each reached the mark.
The Union are currently eight points from tying their 37-point total, which was tied for the lowest in franchise history in a 34-game season (2015).
With a win, the Union would stay atop the Supporters’ Shield standings and snap a three-game losing streak against Inter Miami.
Not Allowing Miami To Gain Momentum
Miami has hit a rough patch, sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and mired in a three-game winless streak. Their only win in the last five matches was a 4-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls. A few weeks ago, Miami squandered a 3-1 lead in a 4-3 loss to FC Dallas. Other recent setbacks include a 4-1 defeat on the road to Minnesota United and a 3-0 home loss to Orlando City. Despite these struggles, Miami remains tied for the fourth-most goals in the league with 24, and with stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, they’re never out of any match.
“We know what type of a team it is,” said Bradley Carnell on Inter Miami. “And in every game, they’ve had chances, and they’ve been competitive. And it hasn’t gone their way. Teams go through phases throughout the season. But you can never underestimate that team especially. And I don’t think we’re anywhere near any form of complacency or any form of laziness or tiredness. I think there’s a team on our side here that we’re just hungry for the next game, we’re hungry for the next points to be put on the board. And regardless of opponent, [that’s] something I’ve always spoken about from day one.”
The Union come into the match with a six-game unbeaten streak, which is one away from tying last year’s seven-game unbeaten run, which lasted from week one through week seven. During last year’s run, the Union went 3-0-4, scoring 14 goals and conceding nine. During this year’s run, the Union have scored the same number of goals in one fewer game and have only conceded five goals.
Quinn Sullivan Called Up to USMNT
The United States Men’s National Team released their 27-player roster for training camp ahead of June matches against Turkey and Switzerland, with Quinn Sullivan being called up for his first-ever training camp with the full National Team.
Sullivan has had a breakout season so far with the Union through 14 league games, scoring once and assisting six times, which is tied for the most in MLS. He is also tied for the ninth-most chances created with 29 and tied for fifth in terms of big chances created with seven.
He has been a staple in Bradley Carnell’s lineups, being one of only three players to play in all 14 games for the Union this season in MLS, and he has played the second-most minutes (1,094), with only Jakob Glesnes ahead of him (1,171).
“It’s been brewing. I think, just with his performances over time now, he’s just been waiting for that one moment,” said Carnell. “For him and his family, it’s a proud moment just to be recognized for the good work, and now to be rewarded for that and to be excited about a camp coming up.”
“And we’ve told all our national players, we’re still together for another week, and there’s three more games. And while we’re getting all these call-ups and information and what have you, there’s a lot of work to be done. And I think Quinn’s the first one to know what’s at stake tomorrow on the platform and not to overthink things and just to do his job, what he’s been getting rewarded and recognized for.”
The Union connections are strong with the players called up for the National Team camp, with former first-team players Matt Freese, Mark McKenzie, Jack McGlynn, and Brenden Aaronson all getting called up.
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (4): Matt Freese (New York City FC; 0/0), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Zack Steffen (Colorado Rapids; 30/0), Matt Turner (Crystal Palace/ENG; 51/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 3/0), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 33/2), Alex Freeman (Orlando City; 0/0), DeJuan Jones (San Jose Earthquakes; 10/0), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 19/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 68/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 24/1), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 32/3),
MIDFIELDERS (10): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 47/8); Tyler Adams (Bournemouth/ENG; 44/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 0/0), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis/ESP; 18/0), Luca de la Torre (San Diego FC; 24/1), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake; 4/0), Jack McGlynn (Houston Dynamo; 4/1), Quinn Sullivan (Philadelphia Union; 0/0); Malik Tillman (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 17/0), Sean Zawadzki (Columbus Crew; 1/0)
FORWARDS (5): Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC; 4/3), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 17/5); Damion Downs (FC Köln/GER; 0/0), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps/CAN; 4/1), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 15/4)
Injury Updates
Once again, Bradley Carnell said Andre Blake is still questionable with a knee injury that has kept him out since May 10 against Columbus. If Blake misses the match against Miami, it will be his seventh game this season in all competitions where he has missed due to injury.
Ian Glavinovich continues to be ruled out as he recovers from meniscus surgery, and Neil Pierre is slowly working his way back from a knee injury he suffered against Chattanooga FC in MLS Next Pro on May 3.
Series History (MLS Play Only)
The Union and Inter Miami have faced off 11 times in league play, with the Union trailing the series 4-5-2. The Union are 3-2-1 at Subaru Park against Miami, losing 2-1 last season at Subaru Park with a late goal from nine-man Inter Miami that sealed the victory.
These two teams played nine games ago, with Miami winning 2-1 with goals from Robert Taylor and Lionel Messi. Dániel Gazdag scored in the 80th minute to pull the Union within one, and Chris Donovan had two chances in the 83rd and 100th minutes to equalize. Prior to the goal from Gazdag, the Union had multiple chances with headers from Tai Baribo, Nathan Harriel, and Bruno Damiani, but none of the attempts found the back of the net.
Four current Union players have scored against Inter Miami: Mikael Uhre (2), Kai Wagner, Jakob Glesnes and Indiana Vassilev (1). For Inter Miami, three current players have scored against the Union: Lionel Messi (3), Luis Suárez and Leo Afonso (1).
Player Availability Report
Philadelphia Union
Ian Glavinovich - Knee (Out)
Neil Pierre - Knee (Out)
Andre Blake - Knee (Questionable)
Inter Miami
Drake Callender - Sports Hernia (Out)
David Ruiz - Hamstring (Out)
Baltasar Rodriguez - Hamstring (Out)
Where to Watch
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, 7:30 p.m. ET
Video credit: Philadelphia Union