The Philadelphia Union has been building just for this moment: hosting the Eastern Conference finals with tickets to the first MLS Cup final. But the East’s 2nd seed will instead face NYCFC’s 4th seed with a reduced roster after 11 players were forced to miss out due to MLS health and safety regulations.
There are six starting players in that group, including the starting goalkeeper (Andre Blake), four defensive defenders and the club captain (Alejandro Bedoya). Details of their medical condition have not been shared publicly, but their absence could stem from a number of reasons, according to league procedure: positive COVID-19 test, inconclusive or pending or in mandatory isolation for being in close contact or engaging in activity deemed high risk.
In spite of reported that the Union requested With the federation rearranging the schedule, the Eastern finals will take place as planned. Language at the end competition rules of the tournament make that more clear. The Portland Timbers will host the winning team in Saturday’s final.
CLOCK: Philly vs. NYCFC on fuboTV (7 days free trial)
Union needed a last-minute goal against the Red Bulls and a penalty shootout against Nashville SC to get this far. NYCFC overthrew Atlanta and also survived the penalty shootout against New England Revolution after seeding the No. 1 for most of the game. MLS top scorer Taty Castellanos was sent off late in that game and an automatic red card would force him out against Philly.
It was the first Eastern Conference final in both clubs’ short history (Philadelphia Union started the game in 2010, while NYCFC arrived five years later in 2015). NYCFC won the only post-season meeting (3-1 in 2018) and the teams split the regular three games of the 2021 season (1W-1L-1D record per game). But those matches won’t matter much to the state of the Alliance.
How to watch Philadelphia Union vs. NYCFC
- Day: Sunday, December 5
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Channel: ABC
- Spanish TV: ESPN Deportes
- Streaming online: fuboTV
The MLS Eastern Conference Finals between Philadelphia Union and NYCFC will air nationally on ABC (English) and ESPN Deportes (Spanish) with both channels available for live stream on fuboTV. New users can try fuboTV 7 days free trial.
Philadelphia Union vs. NYCFC
The rear four of the Union are the areas hardest hit by absences due to COVID-19 protocol. The likely centre-backs are Aurelien Collin and Stuart Findlay, while either Nathan Harriel or Olivier Mbaizo will be started at right-back.
To replace captain Alejandro Bedoya in midfield, teenager Jack McGlynn was brought on as a straight swap, or talented veteran Jamiro Monteiro moved deeper into midfield with an 18-year-old. another, Paxten Aaronson, started in attack.
Philly has also signed short-term contracts with two players under the strict league rules: Defenders Brandan Craig and Anton Sorenson will both feature in the squad. MLS goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh, who is always available to assist teams in emergencies, will act as a backup.
Union’s expected starting lineup (4-3-2-1, left to right): 1-Matt Freese-GK – 2-Matt Real, 78-Aurelien Collin, 4-Stuart Findlay, 15-Olivier Mbaizo – 16-Jack McGlynn, 8-Jose Martinez, 31-Leon Flach – 10-Jamiro Monteiro, 6-Daniel Gazdag – 23-Kacper Przybylko
Sub Alliance (9): 22-Greg Ranjitsingh-GK, 34-Brandan Craig, 26-Nathan Harriel, Anton Sorenson, 13-Cole Turner, 20-Jesus Bueno, 21-Anthony Fontana, 30-Paxten Aaronson, 7-Matheus Davo
Union players OUT due to MLS healthy and safe protocol (11): 11-Alejandro Bedoya, 12-Joe Bendik, 18-Andre Blake-GK, 19-Cory Burke, 3-Jack Elliott, 5-Jakob Glesnes, 25-Ilsinho, 29-Alvas Powell, 17-Sergio Santos, 33-Quinn Sullivan , 27-Kai Wagner
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It will be interesting to see NYCFC opt to replace the league’s top scorer (Castellanos) who is out due to a red card suspension. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi looks like the obvious choice, with Heber still not ready to play a few more minutes after his long comeback from knee surgery. Thiago Andrade and Talles Magno usually play as a winger, but both can be deployed as a central striker, if necessary.
Right-back Tayvon Gray suffered a cramp and midfielder James Sands was forced to leave Tuesday’s game, but coach Ronny Deila made it clear that all of the players after the Revolution win would be available except for Castellanos.
NYCFC starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Sean Johnson-GK – 12-Malte Amundsen, 6-Alexander Callens, 4-Maxime Chanot, 24-Tayvon Gray – 16-James Sands, 7-Alfredo Morales – 42-Santiago Rodriguez, 10-Maxi Moralez, 19-Jesus Medina – 17-Ismael Tajouri-Shradi
NYCFC Subscribers (9): 13-Luis Barraza-GK, 20-Gudmundur Thorarinsson, 15-Tony Rocha, 23-Gedion Zelalem, 26-Nicolas Acevedo, 8-Thiago Andrade, 43-Talles Magno, 9-Heber, 21-Andres Jasson
Philadelphia Union vs. NYCFC: Odds & Predictions
(Strategies provided by DraftKings)
It would be one of the most remarkable stories in MLS history if the Philadelphia Union could somehow overcome this shortage of many starters to beat an NYCFC team recognized for quality and depth. special squad. But it’s unlikely that DraftKings doesn’t even have a “forward” line available for the game.
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If grievances arise, it may have to be behind a defensive blockade set up by Philly to keep the NYCFC afloat. The more time that goes by without NYCFC scoring, the pressure on the guests will increase and confidence in the Union will grow, as will support from the partisan crowd. That would be an amazing story, but not one for you to put your money in.
Pick: NYCFC -0.5 difference (-105)
Guess: Philadelphia 1, NYCFC 2
- Moneyline (90 minutes): Philadelphia +310 / Draw +255 / NYCFC -110
- Transmitted: Philadelphia +0.5 (-105) / NYCFC -0.5 (-105)
- Total goals is O/U 2.5: Above -105 / Below -115
- Both teams scored: Yes -135/No +105
