Philadelphia Union is back in action Wednesday night with a key Eastern Conference showdown against Nashville SC that kicks off at 8:30PM ET only on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
The Boys in Blue are looking to respond big on the road as they enter the home stretch ahead of a league-wide pause for the 2023 Leagues Cup. After falling on the road to the LA Galaxy, 3-1, in the late night hours over the weekend, the Union will look to find their form to wrap up the big week that features still two more games. At the Galaxy on Saturday night, the Union found themselves down early in the contest as Tyler Boyd opened the scoring 15 minutes after the opening whistle. Philly battled back with an equalizer in the 36' as a shot from Jakob Glesnes rebounded right to Mikael Uhre for the one timer. Momentum was fully titled for Philly going into the break but it was snatched in first-half stoppage time as a corner kick service from Diego Costa crashed off an Union defender and into the back of the net. With the Union pushing to make it a 2-2 contest, the Galaxy remained tough to break down defensively and converted on a counter attack from Riqui Puig.
Wednesday night's contest is the third and final game of the Union's three-game road trip to start July with the Union not fully looking themselves. While they are without three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake and defender Damion Lowe due to the Concacaf Gold Cup, Curtin said following the match it isn't just one person that is reason for the Union's lack of success lately. Every season has its ebbs and flows but luckily for the Union the compact Eastern Conference sees them still just four points out of second place.
While looking at the standings in July isn't recommended, the clash between the Union and Nashville is a true three pointer as the Music City squad currently occupies the No. 2 slot in the East. Nashville SC is coming off their own road loss where they fell to the Chicago Fire by a 1-0 margin courtesy of a goal from former Union midfielder Fabian Herbers. Like much of the league, the points are made in front of home fans and Nashville SC has collected the majority of their points at GEODIS Park. While Nashville SC is 3-2-0 in its last five matches, they currently own an eight-game unbeaten streak in the Music City. Philly found success in their first and only visit to the new MLS stadium with Uhre scoring the first goal in the stadium's history in a 1-1 draw.
Nashville continues to fully depend on reigning MVP Hany Mukhtar to provide the offense. After his MVP season in 2022, this year the 28-year-old has continued to provide in big ways with 13 goals and eight assists for the Nashville SC. Mukhtar will be fresh for the contest too, coming on as a halftime substitute in the loss at Chicago.
