Philadelphia Union travel down I-95 to Audi Field for a rivalry clash against D.C. United on Wednesday night that will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on PHL!& and PhiladelphiaUnion.com. The Boys in Blue have won the last seven regular season matches against their rival, a stretch dating back to 1, 2017.
The Union are looking to continue their impressive 2020 campaign after picking up their 10th win of the season. Last time out the Union kept their perfect record at Subaru Park after taking down Montreal Impact Sunday evening via 2-1 margin.
Philly goes for the regular season sweep once more against DC, after defeating them 4-1 at home on August 29. Kacper Przybylko led the way with a brace while Sergio Santos made it 3-0 all within the first 30 minutes of the match. Head Coach Jim Curtin ensured the team will not underestimate DC and their gameplan on the road will “be disciplined, to stay connected, and take our chances on the break.” Based on DC’s style of play the Union will likely play in a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1.
DC United is vying to snap their current five-game losing streak and eight-game winless streak through what has been a rough season for the club. They recently let go of long-time Head Coach Ben Olsen and dropped their first game under new interim head coach, Chad Ashton. Curtin and Olsen are good friends and Curtin had some kinds words when asked about Olsen’s departure, “there’s no better person first and foremost, there’s no better leader, there’s no better winner than Ben Olsen…there should be a statue of him outside the stadium.” Ben has been a part of the club for more than two decades as a player and a coach. This will be the first time the Union will play DC without Ben Olsen on the coaching staff in the Union’s 10-year history.
Player to Watch:
Mark McKenzie: Mark earned his third MLS Team of the Week nod of the season after his performance against Montreal. He continues to be a key factor in the team’s defensive success.
Bill Hamid: With Ben Olsen out, the team will have Hamid’s veteran leadership to push them through the rest of their season and protect their net.
