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Philadelphia Union – Real Salt City preview

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Real Salt Lake at Philadelphia Union August 24  7:30 PM ET

Friday night at PPL Park the Philadelphia Union at (7-12-3) host Western Conference Real Salt Lake (13-10-3). This will be the only meeting between clubs this season. The Union all time against RSL are (0-2-2) and (0-0-2) at PPL Park. Both times RSL played at PPL Park the final score was 1-1 with goals from Danny Mwanga ( 2010)  & Keon Daniel (2011); also the Union lead in each game 1 -0.

Philadelphia is in a must win situation for the rest of the season. The Union have not had won a match since July 29 when they beat New England at PPL Park. Over the weekend the Union picked up its first road point since they beat the LA Galaxy 2-1 on July 4.

Philadelphia is in 8th place in the East and sitting on 24 points. DC currently in 5th place holds the final playoff spot with 40 points.  Real Salt Lake are in 2nd place in the West with 42 points with five of its final eight games on the road.

Heavy legs we were the talk in the press conference Wednesday since RSL played a  Champions League group game Tuesday night. RSL won the game 2-0 Tauro FC and broke a 4 game losing streak. The Union look to add pressure and speed to a road worn RSL with youngsters like Ray Gaddis, Jack Mclnerney, Antonie Hoppenot and the gritty Farfan twins. Philadelphia hopes that RSL’s road woes continue since RSL come in with four straight road losses and a 10-1 goal differential.

Look for rookie defender Ray Gaddis to replace suspended Sheanon Williams, who received a second yellow card against in DC Sunday. Gaddis is familiar to being in the line-up as the University of West Virginia star has started nine of the Union’s 9 of the 22 games in MLS play.

On the Real Salt Lake side they should have Nat Borchers and Fabian Espindola back in the starting 11 as both did play Tuesday night.

Key players to watch:  Jack Mclnerney and Brian Carroll for the  Union. One the RSL side midfielder Kyle Beckerman and keeper Nick Rimando.

 

Philadelphia – Salt Lake 7:30 pm ET NBC Sports Network