The Philadelphia Union take on the New England Revolution today in a game that could easily serve as a playoff preview. New England sits in third place in the East with 52 points; Philly sits in sixth with 46. If the season ended today, this would be a first-round playoff series, with New England holding home-field advantage. Luckily, four games remain for that to change for the Union, who look to keep climbing the Eastern Conference standings.
Both teams are close in the standings and share a long history of consequential matches. Over the last six years, these two teams have played each other 20 times! The Union has won 12 of those games, including two playoff matchups that knocked out the Revs, while New England has won just five, including one that eliminated a then Shield-winning Union side in 2020.
This has become an organic rivalry based on the number of games played, and today's matchup will have repercussions for where both sit in the playoffs. A Union win, coupled with Charlotte and Chicago losses, would see Philadelphia jump to fourth place in the East. However, if New England wins and Miami loses, the Revolution move up to second place in the conference! The intensity of this match should make it feel like the playoff game it could be in a few weeks.
Speaking of the playoffs, the Union are on the verge of clinching a spot today. They could have done so last week, but their draw against Charlotte FC delayed things. Here's a look at Philly's playoff scenarios.
The Union is now so close to being a playoff team; however, if they want to be a true threat to go far in the postseason, they will need to take action into their own hands. A win over New England clinches the playoffs and kicks off a three-game, eight-day stretch against playoff opposition.
Three of the Union's final four matches take place over the next eight days, and these matches will dictate where Philly falls in the playoff field. If they can push into the top four, they will get home-field advantage in the first-round best-of-three playoff series. To do that, they obviously need to get points today against the Revs.
Philly will hope this match against New England starts a late-season winning streak, but they will be without a crucial player today. Cavan Sullivan is out today with an ankle injury he sustained last week. New England has been bitten a bit more by the injury bug, with three players out and three questionable for this important matchup.
If the Union can take all three points today, they will have completed a major turnaround this season, going from dead last in MLS to 16-unbeaten and clinching a playoff spot. Tune in on Apple TV tonight to see if they can do just that!
