One thing all fans love in sports is rooting against their rivals. The excitement of each touch, goal and foul just a little more impactful during those matches. As we countdown our journey to the 2019 Philadelphia Union opener on March 2, let's take a look at our biggest rivals.
New York Red Bulls: June 8 (tickets)
Fans will have to wait until the 17th contest before welcoming in our first rival, New York Red Bulls. After squaring off in the Union's final home match of 2018, the two foes face off in an early June match that promises physicality and some cards. New York came to Talen Energy Stadium last year and walked out on the right end of a 1-0 scoreline thanks to an interesting penalty call in the second half. The Union will be looking for revenge in June and have found success at home in the past with five home wins against Red Bulls.
During the final stretch of the season, the boys in blue will make the short trip north to Red Bulls looking to improve upon recent results at Red Bull Arena. Each of the past two seasons, the Union have earned a point and shutout against their rivals.
D.C. United: August 24 (tickets)
August is when fans can experience a classic Eastern Conference rivalry matchup, with the Union going to head to head with DC United twice. The Union were perfect against DC in 2018, outscoring their rivals by a 5-2 margin. August 4 is the first showdown, with the Union making the short trip south to Audi Field as the boys in blue look to replicate last year’s 2-0 shutout over Wayne Rooney and company.
Three weeks later, the two sides square off once again, but this time Rooney, Lucho Acosta, and the rest of the district's big names travel up I-95. Talen Energy Stadium has been a major homefield advantage in this rivalry with the Union boasting an 8-3-0 record with 17 goals scored against DC.
New York City FC: October 6 (tickets)
The final game of June sees the Union travel to the Big Apple, where their 2018 season ended. After falling to NYCFC in the regular season and 2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the Union returns to Yankee Stadium on June 29 in search of their first win at the baseball stadium where, for reasons, NYC still plays.
Just like last year, the Union and NYCFC will face off on Decision Day, presented by AT&T. This time, however, Philadelphia will have homefield advantage, and the Union are 3-2-0 all-time at Talen Energy Stadium against their rivals to the north.
