Philadelphia Union will return to the pitch this Saturday when they take on Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. This will be the first road match for the Union this season, and their only matchup with Colorado in 2018.
For Philadelphia, they’ll enter this contest having an unusual start to the season due to their schedule. Despite the calendar closing on March, the Union have only played two MLS matches, after having a bye-week in week two and being out of action last week due to the FIFA International Window.
A key for Philadelphia this weekend will be their ability to stay strong defensively. The club has been stellar in their own zone with exceptional play coming from second-year center back Jack Elliott and MLS All-Star Andre Blake. The Union have not allowed a goal this season, they are the only MLS club to have that note on their resume in 2018.
Elliott has been solid on the back line in his two matches this season and has earned national attention. Elliott has been named to the MLS Team of the Week twice in two appearances. As for Blake, the 2016 Goalkeeper of the Year has been sensational, Blake is tied for the league lead in shutouts with two, despite playing in few matches and is the only regular starting goalkeeper in MLS to own a perfect 100 save percentage, and not allow a goal this season.
Colorado enters this contest in a similar boat as their opponents this weekend having only played two matches in 2018. The Rapids are coming off a home draw this past weekend against Sporting Kansas City, where they weren’t able to hold on to a two-goal home lead.
For the Union to leave Colorado with three points, they’ll need to get past the man in net for the Rapids, Tim Howard. The Secretary of Defense is coming off MLS Team of the Week honors in Colorado’s last contest where he recorded seven saves. That performance tied his personal record of most saves in one game with the Colorado Rapids.
Kick-off for this inter-conference clash is set for 9 p.m. ET and will be televised on the Live Well Network as well as streamed on Philadelphiaunion.com with JP Dellacamera and Tommy Smyth on the call.
