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The season is finally upon us. Follow along here for updates and share your reflections in the comments as the Union host New England Revolution in an MLS rematch of the Super Bowl. Hopefully, the Union fair better than the 2017 Super Bowl winners did in their MLS rematch. Atlanta United beat New England Revolution 7-0 last September.
Three Points
March 19, 2011. That was the last time the Union won a season opener. They lost 3-1 away to Portland Timbers in 2012, 3-1 to Sporting Kansas City at home in 2013, drew Portland away 1-1 in 2014, played Colorado Rapids to a scoreless draw at home in 2015, lost 2-0 to FC Dallas in Frisco in 2016 and played Vancouver Whitecaps to a scoreless draw on the road in 2017.
Nine-Man New England
Just how bad have the Revs been tonight? This bad:
I don't even know what to say about this. This is the captain of New England taking an absolutely pointless second yellow in a match that was already decided leaving New England without 2 center backs for next week's fixture. Absurd decision. pic.twitter.com/K1mwwliX6T
— Total MLS (@TotalMLS) March 4, 2018
CJ Remembers Where He Put His Keys
CJ’s hard luck in front of goal came to a resounding end when he hammered home a Cory Burke pass in the 69th minute. Burke wasted no time making an impact in his MLS debut, making a nice move in the box to beat his man and set up CJ.
Let's rewind the track and take another look at that #DOOP by @BigAfrika88 https://t.co/Nnnb2sBgZA
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) March 4, 2018
Cory Burke Checks In
Burke became the third Union player to make his MLS debut in tonight’s game when he checked into the match in the 66th minute for Fabian Herbers. Jay Simpson also came in for debutant Fontana. Burke, a Jamaica international who spent two seasons with Bethlehem Steel FC, was the first off-season signing for the Union back in December.
Cory Burke becomes the second Steel FC contracted player to play for the first team! https://t.co/HmI8ZHqLVr
— Bethlehem Steel FC (@BSteelFC) March 4, 2018
Oh CJ
Teenagers Auston Trusty and Anthony Fontana have held their own in their MLS debuts — Trusty made a goal-saving tackle in the box and Fontana has the game’s only goal so far — but this game could easily be 4-0 by now if CJ had his scoring boots on. He drew the red card that put them a man up and helped set up the Fontana goal, but his finishing took the first half off.
The Kid’s All Right
What do you do when you’re an 18-year-old high school senior making your MLS debut for your hometown club at home? If you’re Anthony Fontana you open your scoring account.
Here's that #DOOP from @AntFontana99 https://t.co/n30RskxW4d
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) March 4, 2018
New England See Red
Antonio Delamea Mlinar shown straight red after taking CJ Sapong down just outside the box in the 25th minute. Haris Medunjanin nearly added insult to injury on the ensuing free kick but his line drive missed by a couple feet to the left of the post.
Saves By Dre
The first couple saves of 2018 for Andre Blake
Seriously, those saves were legit. https://t.co/U0xtx00YWF
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) March 4, 2018
Starting Lineups
*starting XI in graphic form, in case that's more your style* pic.twitter.com/5udknobh11
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) March 3, 2018
Tonight's #NERevs Starting XI vs. @PhilaUnion pic.twitter.com/1byw5EO2CV
— New England Revolution (@NERevolution) March 3, 2018
How to Watch
Where: Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, Pa.
When: 7 p.m. EST, Saturday, March 4th, 2018
TV: PHL17, myTV38 (Boston), DAZN (Canada)
Streaming: MLS Live
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (Boston), PhiladelphiaUnion.com