Philadelphia Union vs LA Galaxy
The Philadelphia Union return to league play after an emotional 1-0 win over Orlando City in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, to face an LA Galaxy side coming to Chester seeking a third consecutive win against an Eastern Conference side after beating Columbus Crew SC and the New England Revolution amid a six-match unbeaten streak.
The last two meetings between the squads ended in draws, with a goalless tie a year ago in Carson, California preceded by a 2-2 draw in Chester in 2016.
Philadelphia Union
For the first time since back-to-back appearances in the final in 2014 and 2016, the Union (7-9-3) are into the semifinals of the Open Cup after beating East foes Orlando, 1-0, at Talen Energy Stadium Wednesday night.
Alejandro Bedoya scored the game’s lone goal in the 4th minute, putting a rebound under the crossbar after Earl Edwards Jr. saved a Fafa Picault header.
“A lot of credit to the guys for sticking together. I thought we were organized,” Jim Curtin said. “In a night where we were not our sharpest in front of goal, having scored an early goal, which usually leads them to having more possession. I thought that our back four was excellent.”
· Suspended: None
· Suspended after next caution: None
· International duty: None
· Injury Report: QUESTIONABLE: D – Josh Yaro (concussion)
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Andre Blake — Keegan Rosenberry, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty, Raymon Gaddis — Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya — Ilsinho, Borek Dockal, Fafa Picault — Cory Burke
LA Galaxy
The Galaxy (8-7-4) have climbed above the playoff line in the Western Conference, can move further up the table with a third straight win and will certainly be full of confidence after a dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Revs at Gillette Stadium last Saturday.
Trailing 2-1 in second-half stoppage time, Romain Alessandrini first set up Dave Romney’sequalizer and one minute later had the assist on Chris Pontius’ second goal of the game. It was a huge win for the Galaxy, who played without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, rested due to travel and the Gillette Stadium turf.
“We’re starting to learn how to play with each other, that’s the important thing. I mean obviously, we missed [Ibrahimovic] today, because our game has been cut to him a little bit and he’s obviously had a big impact when you look at his goals,” Sigi Schmid said. “The guys are understanding how to play with him, so we had to adjust a little bit today.”
· Suspended: M – Perry Kitchen, D – Ashley Cole
· Suspended after next caution: None
· International duty: None
· Injury Report: OUT: D – Rolf Feltscher (shoulder surgery); QUESTIONABLE: M – Sebastian Lletget (ankle injury)
All-Time Series
· Overall: Philadelphia Union 1 win, 9 goals … LA Galaxy 6 wins, 22 goals … 3 draws
· At Philadelphia: Union 0 wins, 4 goals … Galaxy 2 wins 8 goals … 2 draws
· Last meting at Philadelphia: Philadelphia Union 2, LA Galaxy 2 (May 11, 2016)
Officials
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Assistant Referees: Logan Brown, Brian Dunn
4th Official: Alejandro Mariscal
VAR: Alex Chilowicz
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