After a three-week international break in MLS play, Philadelphia Union return to the pitch to face off against Atlanta United FC for the third time in 2021. Kick off from Atlanta is set for 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.
The first two meetings of the season came in late April and early May during the Quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions League. After the dust was settled from 180 minutes of play, it was the Boys in Blue emerging as the last MLS team standing in the competition via a 4-1 aggregate score. The damage was done in the opening leg in Atlanta with Union goalkeeper Andre Blake putting up a heroic effort in the first half with six saves in the first 45 minutes. The Boys in Blue responded in the second half with three goals led by Kacper Przybylko's brace and a late goal from Anthony Fontana that had ATL stunned.
The Union enter the road affair in second place in the Eastern Conference with 14 points from the first eight league matches and have done so with strong defense leading the way. The squad leads the league with five shutouts and have yet to allow a goal while away from Subaru Park in three previous road matches in MLS play and five overall when you add in CCL action.
Meanwhile Atlanta finds themselves four points back and in eighth place in the East. First-year manager Gabriel Heinze has only guided the squad to two wins through the first seven MLS contests of his career but the side enters on a four match unbeaten streak courtesy of three draws and a win against CF Montreal.
