Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs – Round One
Philadelphia Union vs. New England Revolution
Subaru Park – Chester
November 24 – 8:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN3, TVA Sports
STREAMING: ESPN App in US
It's au unprecedented meeting in an unprecedented season as the Philadelphia Union face the New England Revolution in Round One of the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs at Subaru Park Tuesday night. It is the sixth time the Eastern Conference foes are squaring off in 2020.
The Union hoisted their first-ever major trophy by winning the Supporters' Shield on Decision Day presented by AT&T, beating the Revs 2-0 at home to do so. Jim Curtin's side have been a model of consistency throughout a turbulent season, which included a halt in play due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guided by Curtin, who was named the MLS Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year, the Union have thrived under a clear playing style with a roster that includes Homegrowns who came up through the club's fertile academy and shrewd signings.
In goalkeeper Andre Blake, the Union have the 2020 Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, who joins Red Bull Salzburg-bound midfielder Brenden Aaronson and center back Mark McKenzie as MLS Best XI presented by The Home Depot selections.
Meanwhile, Bruce Arena has led the Revs to the postseason for the second consecutive season after the club's three-year drought. Gustavo Bou's stoppage-time golazo lifted New England to a dramatic win over the Montreal Impact in a Play-In Match at Gillette Stadium Friday night, the club's first postseason victory since 2014.
The Union are unbeaten in the five previous meetings this season (4W-0L-1D), including a 1-0 victory in the MLS is Back Tournament Round of 16 in July.
- How Curtin, Union are handling pressure as an MLS Cup favorite
- Aaronson on bypassing Europe, starting career with Union: "I made the right decision"
- Andre Blake "ready to go" for Union against Revs
- Updated Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs Bracket
- Zakuani: Three takeaways from the first day of the playoffs
- The most incredible weekend ever in MLS? Here are the top 5 moments
- Boehm: Revs' magic triangle firing at the perfect time for playoff charge
- Revs advance! Bou winner sends New England over Montreal in thrilling fashion
- Wiebe: Why every team will (or won't) win MLS Cup
- Meet the 2020 MLS Best XI
- If your club's season is over, there's room on these bandwagons
Philadelphia Union
Forever trying to move up in the MLS pecking order, the Union enter the postseason in unfamiliar territory— as favorites. And while all the individual honors are appreciated, Curtin doesn’t want any of the added interest to get to his players’ heads ahead of the most important games of the season.
“What's made this team so special and great is everybody takes the mindset of just doing their job, nobody tries to be great, or tries to be different or do more than they're expected in their position and role in the team," Curtin said in a media conference call Monday. "If everybody is good, and all 11 players just have a good performance that we can all rely on each other, we usually come out on top and that's been the mindset and mentality of this group throughout this entire season as unique as it's been."
While the Union are unbeaten at Subaru Park this season, Curtin knows the Revs will be coming in Chester flying high off their win on Friday and feeling they can play without pressure.
"We've done a good job, every game has been very close, we respect them a great deal," Curtin said. "And they're playing some of their best soccer right now with Carles Gil and Bou in very good form. So we have to do our best to contain those two guys, try to limit the amount of times they're on the ball."
The good news for the Union is that they enter the postseason with Andre Blake back after being sidelined for the final two games of the season with a fractured hand.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Jack de Vries (M) - concussion protocol
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: None
- International duty: None
New England Revolution
The Revolution big-money players stepped up in a big way Friday night with Designated Players Carles Gl and Bou scoring a goal apiece to lead New England to a 2-1 Play-In Match win over the Impact at Gillette Stadium.
Gil opened the scoring in the 38th minute and, after Romell Quioto leveled for Montreal, Bou struck for the winner in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, taking a settling touch before firing a low shot past Clement Diop from distance.
“Two outstanding goals. And it's nice to get both Carlos and Gustavo back on the field together,” Arena said postgame. “Carles’ performance – yeah, he was very, very good. What more can you say? He had a goal, he obviously can help control the tempo of the game. His passing at times is outstanding. Really good game and obviously the more he continues to play, he’s only going to get better because he's basically been out most of the year. So we could see every game there's been a progression.”
The short turnaround and preparation for their next opponent no doubt made a bit easier by the fact the Revs will line up against the Union yet again.
"There are no secrets between these two teams, this is the sixth occasion we've played this year and obviously we haven't had a whole lot of success so I don't think the bookmakers have us favorites in this one," Arena said in a video conference call with reporters Sunday. "Their team is solid on both ends of the field, probably one of the leaders in the league in goals scored as well as goals against so it will certainly be a big challenge for our team."
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Luis Caicedo (M) - right knee injury
- OUT: Cristian Penilla (F) - left foot fracture
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Tommy McNamara (M), Gustavo Bou (F)
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Union
- Union: 11 wins, 33 goals
- Revolution: 3 wins, 16 goals
- 2 draws
MLS Cup Playoffs
- This is the first all-time meeting between the Philadelphia Union and New England Revolution in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Officials
- Referee: Joseph Dickerson
- Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Adam Wienckowski
- 4th Official: Fotis Bazakos
- VAR: David Gantar
