The Philadelphia Union have already clinched a berth into the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, but ending their regular-season schedule on a winning note is high on Jim Curtin’s priority list.
A trip to Gillette Stadium comes for the Union on Saturday with the New England Revolution opposing them on MLS Decision Day (6 p.m. ET). The Union have only won one of their last five matches in league play, but ultimately haven’t lost since August 30.
Curtin knows the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference remains up for grabs and clinching that will be key to staying at Subaru Park as much as possible for the postseason.
“We want to finish as high as possible, obviously, to try to have as many games in Subaru Park as we possibly can,” Curtin said Thursday in his pre-match press conference.
“You always want to go into the final part of the season with some momentum,” he added. “We haven’t been beaten a lot, but we know we’ve had a lot of ties that maybe could have turned into wins, and this is another test for us before we go into the real season. You know, the games of elimination, the games of consequence.”
The Union should have plenty of their first-choice players available for Saturday after international duty this past week. Daniel Gazdag, Andre Blake, and Jack McGlynn were among eight Union players to earn minutes during the October international window and now return injury-free.
Midfielder José Martinez is suspended, but Leon Flach and Jesus Bueno are back available after rebounding from recent knocks of their own. Kai Wagner and Nathan Harriel will likely start at their respective fullback positions with both Olivier Mbaizo and Matt Real set to miss out.
“Leon [Flach] has rejoined training fully,” Curtin said. “Jesus Bueno trained for the first time today and he looked really good so hopefully he’ll be able to have an impact on the game whether as a starter or off the bench we’ll have to make that decision. With both of those guys the turf plays a role as well so you have to be smart but it is great to have them available for selection.
“Olivier Mbaizo picked up a little injury behind the knee that could take some time,” Curtin added. “Matt Real rolled his ankle [Wednesday] in training so we’ll be a little bit thin at the outside back spot off the bench.”
New England, who has also clinched a playoff berth, will be hoping to move up into the No. 4 seed with a victory. The Revs have overcome a lot of turmoil off the field with former head coach Bruce Arena resigning from his role back in September following a six-week MLS investigation after allegations of “inappropriate and insensitive” remarks.
Carles Gil continues to headline the Revs attack with 11 goals and 14 assists during the regular season while in-form attacker Tomás Chancalay has scored three goals in his last three outings. Despite the Revs losing their last three matches, the Union will be prepared for a tough match away from home.
“Whenever we get together with New England, it’s always a battle,” Curtin said “When you talk about them, it starts with Carles Gil, one of the best players in the league. We have to do a good job limiting where he touches the ball.”
