MLS Preview: New England Revolution (15-9-10) at Philadelphia Union (15-9-10)

The Philadelphia Union and the New England Revolution will meet in the playoffs for the second time after the New England Revolution eliminated the Supporters’ Shield wining Philadelphia Union, 2-0, in Chester in the first round in 2020. In total, the Philadelphia Union and the New England Revolution have met in knockout rounds four times across the MLS Cup Playoffs, MLS is Back and the US Open Cup with each side advancing twice.

Beginning with the New England Revolution’s 2-0 win at the Philadelphia Union in the first round of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, the New England Revolution have won four of their last eight meetings with the Philadelphia Union (D2 L2) after winning one of the previous 16 encounters (D4 L11). Both Philadelphia Union wins in that time, however, have come at home.

The Philadelphia Union enter the playoffs having drawn six of their last eight games (W1 L1), with the lone loss in that time coming in New England on Decision Day. The Philadelphia Union has lost only two of its last 46 home matches in all competitions (W30 D14) dating back to the start of the 2022 season.

The New England Revolution has not won any of its last 13 away matches in all competitions (D6, including one penalty shootout-out win, (L7). The New England Revolution have totaled only six wins n 37 away matches in all competitions (D13 L18) since the beginning of the 2022 season.

Denia Gazdag (36 goals, 2^nd and Julian Carranza 28 goals, 5^th) are two of the top five scoring players in MLS over the last two regular seasons. Adding Mikael Uhre’s 22 goals, the Philadelphia Union have three foo the 17 players with 20 or more goals with one team since the start of last year, the only team with three such players. Clint Peay will be the eighth interim head coach to lead his team into the MLS Cup Playoffs, the fifth since 2019. Peay is the second interim head coach to reach the playoffs with the New England Revolution after Steve Nicol led the New England Revolution’s to the 2002 MLS Cup Finals before taking the job on a full-time basis for the 2003 season.