Preview: Philadelphia Union Aim for Record-Breaking 3-0 Start vs. New England Revolution
The Union Aim for Their First-Ever 3-0 Start, Seeking Third Straight Win Against New England.
Chester — The Philadelphia Union (2-0-0, 6 pts.) head to Foxborough to take on the New England Revolution (0-1-1, 1 pt.) as they look to start the season 3-0 for the first time in club history.
The Union have scored a total of eight goals in their first two games of the season, with four goals in each match. Tai Baribo has led the way with five of those goals, while Dániel Gazdag, Quinn Sullivan, and Kai Wagner each have two assists.
Meanwhile, the New England Revolution are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Columbus Crew, in which they barely created any chances. The Revs managed only four shots, with just two on target. And though it’s only two games into the season, the Revs have the lowest xG (expected goals) in MLS at 0.8. They also rank second to last in shots per game, averaging just 7.5.
While the Revs don’t generate many chances and are one of only three teams yet to score this season, they are a disciplined defensive team. They are tied with the Vancouver Whitecaps for the fourth-fewest xG against (1.3) and allow an average of 11 shots per game, with only three on target. Though New England has yet to find the back of the net, Bradley Carnell knows they have dangerous players and that scoring opportunities will be hard to come by.
“We have to be wary of all their weapons. They don't give much away either—their xG against is the fourth best in the league, for example,” Bradley Carnell said Thursday at his press conference. “They put a lot of pressure on the ball. I think it's going to be a very tight game, with two very athletic teams going at each other. We respect the opponent very much, and I know exactly how difficult Caleb [Porter's] teams are to play against.”
New Look New England
Caleb Porter is in his second season as head coach of the Revs, and after finishing 9-21-4 last year—the fourth-worst record in MLS—there is no room for another disappointing campaign. This is a completely different team from last season, as 19 players departed in the offseason, including notable names such as Esmir Bajraktarević (transfer to PSV Eindhoven), Dylan Borrero (option declined), Mark-Anthony Kaye (trade to San Jose Earthquakes), and Giacomo Vrioni (trade to CF Montréal).
In response, New England brought in 15 new players, including key additions like Leonardo Campana (trade from Inter Miami CF), Brayan Ceballos (transfer from Fortaleza), Mamadou Fofana (transfer from Amiens SC), Ignatius Ganago (loan from FC Nantes), and Jackson Yueill (free agent).
Now, with a roster built in his vision, Porter can no longer claim he doesn’t have “his” players. While it may take time for the team to gel, the significant roster turnover and investment this offseason put pressure on him and his staff to produce results and secure a playoff spot.on put pressure on him and his staff to produce results and secure a playoff spot.
Red-Hot Union Attack
While New England is still finding its footing with a revamped roster, the Union are hitting the ground running with an explosive start to the season. The Union are off to their hottest start in club history, winning their first two games and scoring eight goals in the process. The club’s previous record was four goals through two games, set in 2023, when they put four past Columbus Crew on opening night but were then shut out by Inter Miami in their next match.
Looking back at the 2022 team that set numerous records—including most goals in a single season (72)—it took the Union 19 games to score four or more goals in a match. They finished that season with eight such games, and the Union are already on pace to match that record.
Even last season, which was considered a letdown since they missed the playoffs, the Union still finished tied with LAFC for the sixth-most goals in the league (62). They began the season scoring in 13 straight games but struggled defensively, conceding too often.
The Union have conceded three goals so far this season, but their offensive firepower has made up for it. They currently rank fifth in shots on target percentage (44%) and lead the league in the percentage of shots on target that result in goals (73%). Bradley Carnell noted that these moments had been building throughout the preseason, culminating in their last scrimmage against CF Montréal in Florida.
“We’ve seen that progressively through every training session and every scrimmage we’ve had. In the final scrimmage against Montréal in Florida, I felt that was the aha moment for our boys,” said Bradley Carnell. “And obviously, the way we've kicked on in the two games has been fantastic. The way we've scored our goals and the types of goals we've scored—I would say they are perfect philosophy goals.”
Injury Updates
Both teams continue to deal with injuries of their own. For the Revs, Tomás Chancalay continues to recover from an ACL injury suffered last year, and Caleb Porter said he’s still about a month away. Left back Peyton Miller is still progressing from a groin injury and is “probably a week away.” Matt Polster has been recovering from a thigh injury but has been training fully the last two days; however, Porter said he’ll be worked back “slowly.”
Meanwhile, Markus Anderson continues to be out with an ankle injury and has yet to be available this season for the Union. Ian Glavinovich was available on the bench against Cincinnati but continues to deal with a hamstring injury and was considered “day by day” by Carnell on Thursday.
“Yeah, he's day by day. We just did a bit of maintenance on his hamstring yesterday, and today he had to take a break,” said Carnell. “So we're just going to see how he responds over the next 24 to 48 hours. Markus Anderson is still out. Other than that, I think we're good to go.”
Nathan Harriel has yet to be on a matchday squad for the Union this season as he continues to recover from a quad injury. Last week, Bradley Carnell had said Harriel would be available for the Cincinnati match, but on game day, he wasn’t listed in the squad. Carnell explained that Harriel isn’t 90 minutes fit and he didn’t want to have too many players on the bench who aren’t fully match-ready. Carnell noted again that Harriel is “available,” but he doesn't believe he is fit for 90 minutes after missing five weeks of preseason and the Union’s first two games. Still, he is getting closer to being ready.
“Missing five weeks of preseason and being in for only four training sessions doesn't really equate to being fit and ready, but he's getting closer for sure.”
Series History (MLS Play Only)
The Union and New England Revolution have faced off 38 times in league play, with the Union dominating the series with a 21-9-8 record. The Union hold a 7-5-5 record at Gillette Stadium. The Union won both games last season against New England, with a 3-0 win at Gillette Stadium and a 5-1 win at Subaru Park.
The game at Subaru Park saw the Union go into halftime with a 3-0 lead thanks to a Tai Baribo brace and Jakob Glesnes scoring off a Kai Wagner corner kick. The Union would concede first in the second half, with Ian Harkes scoring from a long-range shot well outside the 18-yard box. The Union quickly responded with Baribo completing his hat trick, and Quinn Sullivan added a goal in the 84th minute to seal a 5-1 win.
Five current Union players have scored against New England: Dániel Gazdag (5), Tai Baribo (3) Mikael Uhre (2), Jakob Glesnes and Quinn Sullivan (1). For New England, five current players have scored against Philadelphia Union: Matt Polster, Maximiliano Urruti (2), Brandon Bye, Andrew Farrell and Jackson Yueill (1).
Player Availability Report
Philadelphia Union
Markus Anderson - Ankle (Out)
Ian Glavinovich - Hamstring (Questionable)
New England Revolution
Tomas Chancalay - Knee (Out)
Peyton Miller- Groin (Questionable)
Matt Polster- Thigh (Questionable)
Where to Watch
The match will be available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. EST, March 8.
Video credit: Philadelphia Union