Philadelphia Union hit the road for an Eastern Conference semifinals clash in MLS Cup playoffs with FC Cincinnati on November 25 at TQL Stadium.
The 2023 Supporters’ Shield champions extended their dominant run by taking out New York Red Bulls in the first round, sweeping their Eastern Conferences foes 2-0. However, Matt Miazga, MLS Defender of the Year, was shown a second yellow card during the game two penalty shootout, leaving his status for the single elimination game up in the air.
On the other hand, the Union made light work against New England Revolution in the first round, also sweeping their opponents to clinch a spot in the semifinals.
This one could go down to the wire in a low-scoring affair, as both teams are typically set up to soak up pressure and strike on the counter to create chances.
FC Cincinnati vs Philadelphia Union H2H record
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Cincinnati boss Pat Noonan has no new injuries within his squad, but Miazga’s availability for the contest is huge for his team’s chances of advancing to the next round.
The team is reportedly still awaiting to hear if their star center-back will suit up on Saturday night, with Yerson Mosquera and Santiago Arias to shoulder the load if he’s denied the chance to play.
FC Cincinnati predicted lineup vs Philadelphia Union ( 3-4-1-2 ): Celentano; Akpunonu, Mosquera, Murphy; Powell, Nwobodo, Moreno, Barreal; Acosta; Vazquez, Badji.
Defender Jakob Glesnes will miss the rest of the 2023 campaign after undergoing sports hernia surgery, leaving a huge void in the Philadelphia backline. The Union will look to lean on Damion Lowe, Jack Elliott and Matthew Real in Glesnes’ absence.
The Union will also be without wing-back Kai Wagner after he was suspended by MLS for using a racial slur during his team’s 3-1 game one victory over the Revs. Philadelphia boss Jim Curtin will call on Nathan Harriel and Olivier Mbaizo to step up at the wing-back position.
Philadelphia Union predicted lineup vs FC Cincinnati ( 4-3-1-2 ): Blake; Mbaizo, Lowe, Elliott, Harriel, Bedoya, Martinez, McGlynn; Gazdag, Carranza, Uhre.
Both teams were among the meanest in goals conceded, and it would be a surprise to see either let in more than a few in this contest. Being on the road, the Union will probably play more defensive without two of their most important players, giving Cincinnati more chances to do damage with.
That said, Andre Blake is one of the best shot-stoppers in all of MLS and we’ll definitely see him pull off a few saves to keep Philadelphia in the game.
By the end of the 90, though, MVP frontrunner Lucho Acosta will have had his say on the game, propelling the Orange and Blue to the next phase of the postseason.
Prediction: FC Cincinnati 1-0 Philadelphia Union
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90Mins
