Union II face a massively important MLS Next Pro regular season game against Chicago Fire II this Saturday at Subaru Park. Marlon LeBlanc and his men will be looking to bounce back after recent results and pick up 3 points in the push back to the top spot of the Eastern Conference standings.
Union II vs Chicago Fire II preview
Union II seemed to be in cruise control of the Eastern Conference all season and looked to be certain finishers in the top spot of the standings heading into the playoffs, but that’s all fallen apart after 3 defeats in a row which has seen them drop to 2nd place behind FC Cincinnati 2.
Philly is coming off the back of a disappointing 1-0 loss to now table toppers FC Cincinnati 2. Frankie Westfield and Eddy Davis both went close to scoring goals in the game, with Westfield hitting the bar and Davis hitting the post, but was Cincy who completed the regular season sweep and took complete command of first place in the standings. Union II will be up against another side fighting for the top spot in Chicago, and are meeting them at Philly’s worst this season.
The two sides met earlier in the seaso with the home side in that one, Chicago, going 1-0 up after 37 minutes thanks to a Harold Osorio goal but Eddy Davis levelled the game just past the 70th minute and secured a point for both sides. Chicago would go on to win the extra point penalty shootout 4-3 and secure 2 points, with Philly heading home with just the 1 point.
Chicago currently sits in 4th place, just 3 points behind LeBlanc’s side, so it’s a massive game for the visiting side in this one. They also enter the game on a bad stretch of form themselves, winning just one game of their last four and coming off the back of 2 hefty defeats, a 5-0 smash job from FC Cincinnati and a 4-3 loss to NYRB II last weekend.
Chicago can go level on points with Philly with a win, while Philly can stretch their points lead above the playoff line to 10 points, as well as clawing their way back toward the top spot.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 4pm ET at Subaru Park, and if you can’t attend the game in person, it will be streamed live on Apple TV through an active MLS Season Pass subscription.
Image Credit: Philadelphia Union II
