In front of a sold out crowd inside Subaru Park and many more on national television, Philadelphia Union were dominate on the virtual pitch as they took on D.C. United. While the actual match is postponed, we took it the FIFA20 for a 10-match simulation to determine who'd come out on top.
In the 10 contests, the Boys in Blue claimed all three points in five of the contests while battling to draws in the remaining matches. Jim Curtin's virtual squad played direct and allowed D.C. United to hold a small edge in possession but the Union's attack was to test Bill Hamid when they could, firing twice as many shots on frame as D.C.
Overall, Philadelphia Union netted 10 goals in the 10 contests while holding their rivals to the south to only 5 goals as Andre Blake collected clean sheets in five matches. Up front, the Union's goals were much like real squad with Kacper Przybylko, Alejandro Bedoya and Ilsinho leading the way with two goals each.
Game 1
Result: 0-0
The opening contest of the simulation saw the Union bring the attack straight to their virtual foes with a four-point edge in possession and outshoot D.C. by a 5-1 margin. Hamid was up to the test with a reflex save against Sergio Santos in the first half that preserved the scoreless result.
Game 2
Result: Philadelphia Union 2, D.C. United 1
Despite a first-half own goal conceded by the Union in the first half, the Boys in Blue rallied after fiery halftime speech from Head Coach Jim Curtin. Kacper Przybylko netted the equalizer in the 59th minute, collecting a through ball from Santos and firing home a right-footed shot inside the near post. With the virtual Sons of Ben rallying in the River End, Jamiro Monteiro netted the game-winner in the 89th minute with a tight-angled finish to give the Boys in Blue their first win.
Game 3
Result: 0-0
After a high-scoring affair in the previous contest, Philadelphia Union's defense was unbreakable as they kept their shutout streak without allowing a single shot from D.C. United's virtual squad. The visitors had the majority of the possession (57%) but were unable to slip balls pass centerback pairing of Jakob Glesnes and Jack Elliott.
Game 4
Result: Philadelphia Union 1, D.C. United 0
Another match and still no true goals from D.C. United despite even more possession (58%) that their last match. The game-winner was one fans won't forget as a cross from captain Alejandro Bedoya connected with Ilsinho for a headed chance that range off the crossbar. Sergio Santos beat his defender to the ball and smashed home a volley to lift the Union to the 1-0 win.
Game 5
Result: Philadelphia Union 1, D.C. United 1
It was a flying start for the Union as Bedoya put the Boys in Blue ahead in the 11th minute, racing to the far post and heading home the opportunity created by Kai Wagner. Eight minutes later, D.C. United netted their first true goal on the simulation as newcomer Julian Gressel equalized in the 19th minute.
Game 6
Result: Philadelphia Union 1, D.C. United 0
For the second straight match, the Boys in Blue came out on the front foot and converted an early opportunity. With early possession, Ilsinho got loose into the D.C. box and lifted a cross to Przybylko for the winner in the 9th minute of play.
Game 7
Result: Philadelphia Union 2, D.C. United 1
A back and forth affair saw the Union make the most with two goals to end the first half to claim their fourth win in seven matches against D.C. Alejandro Bedoya opened the scoring with a long-range effort that clang off a center back and into the back of the net. With the visitors on edge, Ilsinho put the contest into a frenzy with a goal just before the halftime whistle. New D.C. United striker Ola Kamara made it a contest in the 54th minute but Andre Blake made a pair of key saves late to secure the victory.
Game 8
Result: Philadelphia Union 1, D.C. United 0
A scoreless battle and Przybylko on his last warning after a tussle with D.C. saw Head Coach Jim Curtin turn to Andrew Wooten late in the contest. The move proved a winning one as the striker headed home the game winner in the 80th minute off a perfectly weighted corner from Bedoya.
Game 9
Result: Philadelphia Union 1, D.C. United 1
Direct play was the route to putting the Union ahead in the first half as Jack Elliott found Warren Creavalle making a run into the attacking third. As the defense crashed on the Union's No. 6, he found a streaking Ilsinho running into the box and hit the Brazilian in stride. With just the goalie to beat, Ilsinho riffled a blast from 20-yard out to put the Union ahead. D.C. United battled til the ended and were rewarded late with a set piece conversion from Frederic Brillant.
Game 10
Result: Philadelphia Union 1, D.C. United 0
The 10-match simulation concluded with a thriller with both teams finding the back of the net in the final six minutes. A combination play from Jamiro Monteiro and Warren Creavalle put the Union ahead in the 84th minute as Creavalle made the most of his only shot in the entire simulation however moments later D.C. United equalized on Ulises Segura found himself free inside the box.
