Match preview: New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union

Game: New York City FC vs. Philadelphia Union

Date: Saturday, June 3rd

Time: 1:00 PM Eastern, 12:00 PM Central, 10:00 AM Pacific

Venue: Yankees Stadium (Bronx, N.Y.)

Referees: REF: HILARIO GRAJEDA, AR1: Corey Rockwell, AR2: Jeff Muschik, 4TH: Mark Kadlecik

Television: TCN Philadelphia, Yes Network

Streaming: MLS Live, DIRECTV

Radio: SiriusXM FC

All-time record: The Philadelphia Union have won twice, drawn once, and lost three times to NYCFC, with New York winning the last match at Talen Energy Stadium 2-0.

The Philadelphia Union look to rebound from their first loss in seven matches as they head to the Bronx to face a New York City FC team that has one once in their last five.

What New York City will look like

New York played the New England Revolution on Wednesday, and there’s certain to be some churn in the lineup. Alexander Ring was suspended for the match against the Revs and will be available for selection, however Yangel Herrera is out with the Venezuela U20s. While Ronald Matarrita and Rodney Wallace were called to the Costa Rica National Team, they’ll be available for selection.

Look for NYCFC to keep their biggest assets on the pitch. Sean Johnson will almost certainly be in goal, Maxi Moralez will almost certainly start in the midfield, and David Villa will also almost certainly play up top. Former Union defender Ethan White has been a key to New York’s defense, starting in 12 of the club’s 14 games thus far.

What Philadelphia will look like

The Union will only be missing Alejandro Bedoya and Derrick Jones to international duty, with Haris Medunjanin joining the Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team late to help the Union play one of their most bitter rivals. The Union will look to rebound from their first loss since April 14, when they lost at home to NYCFC.

Jim Curtin hasn’t done much lineup changing this year, so don’t expect much difference in the lineup over last week. The lone exception to that will most likely be Warren Creavalle starting in place of Alejandro Bedoya. This could be a blessing in disguise for the Union, as Creavalle’s defensive presence will allow Medunjanin to press higher up the pitch - although in the matchbox that is Yankee Stadium even that isn’t too far to go.

What to expect

The Union looked sluggish during their loss to Real Salt Lake, and I’m sure coming back to sea level and getting some rest will help them get back to the form they were in when they were easily beating D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls. It’s going to be a tough match, but I think the Union catch a break against an NYCFC squad that will not have the freshest legs underneath of them. They’ll need to capitalize on every opportunity they get while limiting New York’s looks at goal. The first goal is also critical, as aside from the match against Colorado have not been good chasing a lead.