An in depth look at the Philadelphia Union’s 2019 MLS opponents, Part 6

March is right around the corner, you know what that means? It means it’s time for an in-depth look at the Philadelphia Union’s 2019 MLS schedule opponents. Here’s part six of Philly Sports Network seven part series!

August 2019:

In part six of our in-depth look at the Union’s 2019 MLS campaign we take a look at the the month of August. The Union play five matches in August. Four matches are against eastern conference opponents with one western conference opponent coming to Chester.

Matchday 25:

vs DC United.
Saturday, August 4th. 7:30 pm.
2018 record: 14 wins 11 losses 9 ties.
2018 Eastern Conference Standing: 4th.

DC United showed a resurgence in 2018 under the attacking power of Lucho Acosta and Wayne Rooney. This saw DC make their way all the way to fourth in the east. They are looking to build off this form in 2019.

Off-season moves:

PLAYERS IN:

PLAYERS OUT:

GK – Earl Edwards, Jr. (12/19/18 – trade from Orlando)
M – Lucas Rodriguez (12/31/18 – transfer from Estudiantes)
GK – Chris Seitz (1/11/19 – trade from Houston)
F/M – Antonio Bustamante (1/21/19 – Homegrown)
D – Donovan Pines (1/23/19 – Homegrown)
D – Leonardo Jara (1/30/19 – loan from Boca Juniors)
D – Akeem Ward (1/31/19 – SuperDraft)
M/D – Chris McCann (2/12/19 – waivers)

D – Taylor Kemp (11/7/18 – retired)
D – Nick DeLeon (11/28/18 – option declined)
D – Vytas (11/28/18 – option declined)
D – Kevin Ellis (11/28/18 – option declined)
M – Ian Harkes (11/28/18 – option declined)
M – Jared Jeffrey (11/28/18 – option declined)
F – Dane Kelly (11/28/18 – option declined)
F – Bruno Miranda (11/28/18 – option declined)
D – Kofi Opare (11/28/18 – option declined)
M – Yamil Asad (11/28/18 – loan expired)
F – Darren Mattocks (11/28/18 – out of contract)
GK – Travis Worra (11/28/18 – out of contract)
GK – David Ousted (1/29/18 – claimed by Chicago off waivers)

DC allowed all of players to walk, declining their options. This included Nick DeLeon, Darren Mattocks and goalkeepers Travis Worra and David Ousted. These were all role players at this point for DC United. This led to them looking for the same type of players to bring in this off-season.

With the foundation of their squad set for 2019, DC acquired players to be role players and possibly push the current starters for playing time. Goalkeeper Chris Seitz, and Defender Leonardo Jara are players who could se some significant time for DC if they can pus into the starting 11. DC look poised for another strong season.

The first of two meetings between I-95 rivals Philly and DC takes place in Chester.

Matchday 26:

vs Houston Dynamo.
Sunday, August 11th. 6:00 pm.
2018 record: 10 wins 16 losses 8 ties.
2018 Western Conference Standing: 9th.

Houston are in a good spot after a weird 2018 season. They struggled in MLS last year, but did win the US Open Cup over the Union. As 2019 starts they are in Concacaf Champions League, and buidling for a better MLS campaign.

Off-season moves:

PLAYERS IN:

PLAYERS OUT:

D – Erik McCue (10/30/18 – Homegrown)
D – Chris Duvall (12/17/18 – trade from Montreal)
M – Matias Vera (12/21/18 – transfer from San Lorenzo)
D – Aljaz Struna (12/24/18 – transfer from Palermo)
M – Tommy McNamara (1/11/19 – Re-Entry Stage 2)
M – Marlon Hairston (1/11/19 – trade from Colorado)
D – Sam Junqua (1/22/19 – SuperDraft)
D – Maynor Figueroa (1/30/19 – free)

D – Conor Donovan (11/27/18 – option declined)
D – Leonardo (11/27/18 – option declined)
D – Adolfo Machado (11/27/18 – option declined)
D – Dylan Remick (11/27/18 – option declined)
D – Jared Watts (11/27/18 – option declined)
F – Mac Steeves (11/27/18 – option declined)
M – Arturo Alvarez (11/27/18 – out of contract)
D – Philippe Senderos (11/27/18 – out of contract)
D – Andrew Wenger (11/27/18 – out of contract)
M – Luis Gil (11/27/18 – loan expired)
M – Eric Alexander (12/11/18 – Expansion Draft)
GK – Chris Seitz (1/11/18 – traded to D.C. United)

Houston have done what a lot of MLS clubs have done this off-season. They have cut a lot of players in option negotiations, and added some players through trades and transfers. Houston let Eric Alexander, Chris Seitz, and Andrew Wenger walk, and replaced them with other MLS players.

Houston brought in Tommy McNamara, Marlon Hariston, and Chris Duvall to help bolster their roster. They also added a homegrown and SuperDraft pick; as well as, bought a defender and midfielder to round out their squad Houston look set to be better than they were in 2018, building off their impressive Open Cup run.

Houston comes to Philly this season, the Union will be looking for some sweet revenge.

Matchday 27

vs Chicago Fire.
Saturday, July 20th. 7:30 pm.
2018 record: 8 wins 18 losses 8 ties.
2018 Eastern Conference Standing: 10th.

Chicago Fire made some headlines today, acquiring Philadelphia Union’s ex-striker CJ Sapong. He will fill a void for a versatile attacker for Chicago. Since we already looked at Chicago’s other moves, here’s a look at how they have done in preseason matches.

Preseason Form: 1 win 0 losses 3 ties

The Fire have had an undefeated preseason with one more match to play before the season starts. The Fire beat Spanish side Fuenlabrada in a friendly 1-0, and then drew Athletico Madrid’s B team one to one.

As for playing MLS opposition, Chicago drew newcomers FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew SC. As Chicago turns their attention to the regular season they will try to draw from these good results.

The Union play their final match against the Fire at home in a match that could say a lot about where both clubs stand in MLS.

Matchday 28:

@ DC United.
Saturday, August 24th. 7:30 pm.
2018 record: 14 wins 11 losses 9 ties.
2018 Eastern Conference Standing: 4th.

DC United are ready to improve in 2019. They want to show that they are a true contender in the east. Since we looked at their player moves, let’s look at their wins, losses and ties from the preseason.

Preseason Form: 2 wins 1 loss 1 tie

DC United have won two games this preseason. One of those wins was against the Union’s USL affiliates Bethlehem Steel FC. They beat Steel FC 1-0. DC continued their dominance over USL teams beating Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-0 as well. However they could not beat any MLS squads this preseason.

DC United drew FC Cincinnati 1-1, and lost earlier this week to Philadelphia Union 2-1. While their lone loss this preseason did come when they pulled most of their starters, DC United have done little to instill confidence they’ll be firing on all cylinders when the season starts.

The Union travel to DC at the end of August to finish there matches with DC in 2019.

Matchday 29:

vs Atlanta United FC.
Saturday, August 31st. 7:30 pm.
2018 record: 21 wins 7 losses 6 ties.
2018 Eastern Conference Standing: 2nd.

Atlanta United’s preseason has been very short lived. Since they won MLS Cup back in December, they did not play many preseason matches. We’ve looked at Atlanta’s impressive moves this offseason, but now look at how they’re fairing in game situations ahead of the season.

Preseason Form: 0 win 1 loss 1 ties

Since Atlanta hasn’t played much at all in a real type of game situation, we know little on how their championship winning players will gel with the new additions this was evident in the preseason draw with LAFC. However there’s a more concerning result that just occurred.

This week, Atlanta lost in their first ever Concacaf Champions League match at Costa Rican side CS Herediano 3-1. This is a match that Atlanta was heavily favored to win. Their loss may knock them back to earth a bit, the second leg comes this coming week just days before the start of the 2019 season.

The Union welcome Atlanta to Chester to play their last game against the reigning champs at the end of August.

Part seven coming tomorrow; Predictions next week:

Part seven of An in-depth look at the Philadelphia Union’s 2019 MLS opponents will be later today. We will also have predictions on how the Union will do in their MLS campaign coming next week leading up to the start of the 2019 MLS season! Stay tuned!