The wait is over and on Saturday Philadelphia Union open their 2018 season at Talen Energy Stadium against Eastern Conference foe New England Revolution. This will be the first of three meetings between these two clubs in 2018. Kick-off for Saturday’s match is set for 7 p.m. and will be televised on the Union’s new broadcast home PHL17 with JP Dellacamera and Tommy Smyth on the call.
The Union will look to continue their historical success against New England on Saturday. Philadelphia owns an all-time record of 10-6-4 against the Revs, with six of those wins coming at Talen Energy Stadium. Philadelphia’s 10 wins against New England is the most wins have recorded over another MLS team in club history.
A key player to watch for this weekend for Philadelphia will be their man in net, Andre Blake. The Jamaican International begins his third season as the regular starting keeper for the Union and in his career; he’s seen tremendous success against New England.
Blake’s statistics against the Revs are almost hard to believe as he owns a career record of 3-1-1 all-time against New England with his last loss against the Revs coming in 2015. Since then, Blake is undefeated against New England. Blake has allowed just two goals in five all-time meetings against the Revs. The last time Blake gave up a goal to New England was on September 26, 2015 and in that match Blake recorded 10 saves.
For New England, they enter the 2018 season looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs in 2017. The Revs are under new direction as Brad Friedel was named to the position on November 9, 2017 and became the seventh head coach in club history. The Revs will lean on their man up top Juan Agudelo to supply offensive power on Saturday. Agudelo finished with eight goals for New England in 2017.
The Union will look to start strong in 2018 by containing the New England attack and receiving a strong showing in net from their 2016 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. Kick-off for this Eastern Conference clash is set for 7 p.m. and will be televised on PHL17.
