Philadelphia Union are set to return to Subaru Park after a two-week hiatus due to the international break, and they’ll resume Major League Soccer play against a marquee opponent in Inter Miami on Saturday.
Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi won’t be in town for the matchup due to 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América preparations with his national team, along with fellow attacker Luis Suarez and midfielder MatÃas Rojas who’ll represent Uruguay and Paraguay respectively. Despite their absences, Philadelphia has a tough match ahead as Head Coach Jim Curtin will be without some of his own for the match as well. Centerback Damion Lowe and midfielder José Martinez are away with Jamaica and Venezuela, while the club’s all-time leading goal scorer Daniel Gazdag will begin his 2024 UEFA European Championship campaign with Hungary on Saturday morning. Andre Blake would be part of the contingent preparing for Copa America too, but he’s still unable to play due to injury. Another player missing from the matchday roster will be centerback Jack Elliott, who picked up a second-half red card in the team’s final match before the break. Despite the club’s efforts to get the call overturned, he’ll remain suspended for the match, further minimizing centerback depth.
Natural right back Nate Harriel could be called upon to fill in that spot just days after his return from United States U-23 pre-olympic camp in Kansas City. As for the spot left open without Gazdag, homegrowns Jeremy Rafanello, David Vazquez, and Quinn Sullivan are all among the potential solutions for this match. With next-man up mentality the theme of this week's training sessions in Chester, Head Coach Jim Curtin could call upon his team's depth on Saturday and through the sumer to propel his team through MLS play admist international soccer's busy slate of tournaments.
Inter Miami leads the race for the Supporters' Shield and sits at first place in the Eastern Conference standings with 35 points through 18 games played. Meanwhile Philadelphia Union have found themselves in eighth with 20 points through 16 games. Philadelphia’s last two matches against Charlotte FC and CF Montreal both finished in a draw, of which they’ve had eight so far this season. They’ll look continue adding points to their total as the season’s halfway mark looms near, calling on depth to propel this team through international soccer's busy slate of tournaments.
Coming to Subaru Park for the first time or need a refresher on all things Philadelphia Union matchday? Click here for all the can’t miss moments to check out this Saturday in Chester!
