Match preview: New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union

Game: New England Revolution vs. Philadelphia Union

Date: Saturday, July 29th

Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern, 6:30 p.m. Central, 4:30 p.m. Pacific, 11:30 p.m. UTC

Venue: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Mass.)

Referees: REF: NIMA SAGHAFI AR1: Corey Parker AR2: Jose Da Silva 4TH: Sorin Stoica

Television: The Comcast Network (Philadelphia Area and New England Area)

Streaming: MLS Live

All-time record: The Philadelphia Union hold the edge, with ten wins, five losses, and four draws in MLS play against the Revolution. The Union also won the last meeting - a 3-0 affair in Chester in June that saw goals from CJ Sapong, Ilsinho, and Roland Alberg.

What New England will look like

The Revolution should be well rested. Since the last time the teams met the Revs have played only twice, and only one of those two games was after the Gold Cup break. The only injury they have right now is to Daigo Kobayashi, who is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.

In their 4-3 win over the LA Galaxy, the Revs used a 4-1-2-1-2 formation with unsettled striker Kei Kamara paired with Lee Nguyen and Kelyn Rowe at the 10. This is probably the same look that the Union will face, although Juan Agudelo will be back with the club after winning the Gold Cup with the United States.

What Philadelphia will look like

The Union come in off of a great 3-0 win against Columbus Crew SC at home, with Ilsinho, Sapong, and Marcus Epps all scoring in the match. The Union will also get Chris Pontius back from international duty with the United States, however they’re going to be missing star goalkeeper Andre Blake for some time as Blake’s hand required stitches after being kicked by FC Dallas and USMNT midfielder Kellyn Acosta. John McCarthy has been stellar in net for the Union, and he’ll look to pick up where he left off against the Crew.

The lineup will all depend on Fafa Picault’s hamstring. If he is healed and can go, he’ll most likely get the nod with Ilsinho at the 10 and Pontius out wide on the right. If Picault is a no-go, Epps will most likely get the start.

What to expect

New England looked great against the Galaxy, but it was against the Galaxy. They’ll have a much tougher opponent this time around in the Union, who are coming in confident after a dominant win against Columbus. If the Union can look to impose their game on the Revs early like they did against the Crew they’ll be able to continue their winning ways. If the Revs come out and Kei Kamara is allowed to get into space and take advantage of opportunities, then it could be a long ride back from Massachusetts for the blue and gold.