MLS Philadelphia Union

Match Preview: Philadelphia Union vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Published on April 15, 2016 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Philadelphia Union News Release


CHESTER, Pa. - The Philadelphia Union will travel to Seattle to take on Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field this Saturday. This contest features two teams in different spots in the standings in their respective conferences. Kick-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. (EST) and will be televised live on The Comcast Network. Should the Flyers and Phillies go past 10 p.m. the match will be broadcasted on the Live Well Network and then simultaneously on TCN.

Philadelphia is an even 3-3-2 all-time against Seattle in MLS play, with the Sounders owning a 3-1-0 record at home. The Union have a slim one goal lead in goal differential (10-9) against Seattle. The last meeting between the two clubs came on June 24, 2015 at Talen Energy Stadium in a 1-0 victory for the Union. The lone goal came off the foot of C.J. Sapong in the 69th minute, while Brian Sylvestre was responsible for the clean sheet. Home field advantage could be a factor in Saturday's contest, the last time the road club won in this series was on October 8, 2011 when Philadelphia secured a 2-0 victory in front of 36,304 at CenturyLink Field

The Union will look to continue their winning ways as they head out west, after coming away with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Orlando City SC last Friday at Talen Energy Stadium. C.J. Sapong got the club on the board early with a goal in the second minute of play. Tranquillo Barnetta delivered the dagger with a perfect free-kick finding the back of the net after striking the top left portion of the crossbar. Andre Blake put a cherry on top of the victory with match-saving save in the 91st minute. The Union are off to their second best start in franchise history through five games with nine points while tied at the top of the table (3-2-0). The only better start to a season came in 2011 when they reached 10 points (3-1-1). That 2011 campaign saw Philadelphia reach postseason play for the first and only time in franchise history.

Seattle enters Saturday's matchup 1-3-1 this season, good for 10th in the Western Conference. The Sounders are also coming off a dramatic finish, after salvaging a point with a goal in the 94th minute off a Chad Marshall goal in Houston on Sunday. Seattle is coached by the winningest coach in MLS history Sigi Schmid. A two-time MLS Coach of the Year, Schmid has led Sounders FC to seven-consecutive appearances in the MLS Cup Playoffs, marking the second-longest active streak. His club is led by former USMNT Captain Clint Dempsey, who has recorded the lone game-winning-goal for the Sounders this season. Dempsey has played in all 450 minutes this season and leads his team in shots (21) and shots on goal (6).

MATCH INFORMATION

2016 MLS Regular Season

Date: Saturday, April 16, 2016

Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET

Location: CenturyLink Field

Seattle, Wa.

Philadelphia Union: 3-2-0 (9 points)

Seattle Sounders FC: 1-3-1 (4 points)

BROADCAST INFORMATION

TV: The Comcast Network (Live Well Network)

Play-by-play: JP Dellacamera

Color: Peter Pappas

Check out the Philadelphia Union Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 15, 2016


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