After another lengthy layoff, the Union return to play this weekend. They’re on the road for the first time this season, traveling to Commerce City to take on the Colorado Rapids.

Like the Union, the Rapids have only played two games thus far due to Concacaf Champions’ League-induces match congestion. Unlike the Union, the Rapids were involved in the tournament, though they fell to Toronto FC in the round of 16. Their season hasn’t improved much since then, as Colorado is still winless through two after surrendering a two-goal lead at home last week.

Time to get Real?

With Fabinho out for a few weeks with an MCL sprain, 18-year-old Homegrown Matt Real may be in line for his first start tomorrow. Real is the only other natural left back on the roster, though Ray Gaddis has spent considerable time at that position and could very well start there against Colorado. If Real manages to earn a spot in the lineup, he’d be the third Homegrown Player to do so this season, after Auston Trusty and Anthony Fontana. With Trusty, Keegan Rosenberry, and Jack Elliott, Real would also form part of the youngest back line in MLS, and surely the youngest back line in club history.

Projected lineups

Colorado Rapids: Tim Howard; Tommy Smith, Danny Wilson, Deklan Wynne; Edgar Castillo, Enzo Martinez, Jack Price, Johan Blomberg, Marlon Hairston; Dominique Badji, Joe Mason

Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake; Matt Real, Auston Trusty, Jack Elliott, Keegan Rosenberry; Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya; David Accam, Borek Dočkal, Fabian Herbers; CJ Sapong

How to watch

Where: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO

When: 9 PM EDT, March 31, 2018

TV: Altitude, Live Well Network

Streaming: MLS Live