Philadelphia Union have been on top of the east for a record amount of time, but this will be their first chance to show off on the national stage in 2019.
Wayne Rooney vs A Top Striker
Additionally, FS1’s broadcast will give Kacper Przybylko an opportunity to show the rest of the world why his nine goals are every bit as impressive as Wayne Rooney’s 11. Rooney, you see, has nabbed four from the penalty spot, while Przybylko has had to fight and scrap for every one of his finishes.
Andrew Wooten may also his first appearance in a starting lineup as the Union seek to have their strikers check into the spaces Marco Fabian leaves behind in midfield.
A battle for the top
DC United are three points behind the Union and even on goal differential. That means a win could put them in first place. With Atlanta facing Los Angeles Galaxy (though perhaps a Galaxy without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, assuming the yellow card accumulation rules apply to him) there is a real chance this match is a fight for first.
Time to flex
After falling 4-0 to Montreal Impact, the Union need to rebound with a muscular performance as they did against Chicago Fire two weeks ago. That means not only winning but controlling a match even more than they did while shutting out the Fire.
The Union and DC meet at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday August 4 on FS1.