Philadelphia Union vs Inter Miami
Subaru Park is the venue as Philadelphia Union and Inter Miami lock horns in an exciting Major League Soccer match-up.
It’s been a turbulent start to the new MLS season for Philadelphia, who commence this round in 8th place in the Eastern Conference, only a point clear of 10th-placed DC United. Aptly named ‘stalemate kings,’ the hosts have drawn 50% of their league fixtures this term (8/16), including the last three on the trot, two of which ended 0-0. While that might lead fans to a misconception of a potential low-scoring affair, Subaru Park has been a venue of entertainment, with five of Philadelphia’s last six home MLS matches seeing over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet. Worryingly for under-fire manager Jim Curtin, his side won none of those six encounters (D2, L4), casting doubt on the Union’s bid to uphold a narrowly positive H2H record against Inter Miami in top-flight action (W3, D2, L2).
Without the services of headline performer Lionel Messi, the Herons head to Delaware Valley as underdogs after going winless in their last two league outings (D1, L1). Both those matches saw Gerardo Martino’s team concede precisely three goals, which is ominous, considering their most recent visit to Philadelphia yielded a devastating 4-1 defeat in June 2023. But the visitors will not shy away from the challenge, especially after only losing once across their last ten MLS games (W7, D2). Sat atop the Eastern Conference, they boast a two-point lead on 2nd-placed Cincinnati, albeit they’ve played two more games than the reigning MLS Open Cup holders. Away form isn’t an issue, with Inter Miami only losing once on their eight league travels this term (W5, D2).