Our prediction for this MLS match:
A clash between Charlotte and Philadelphia will bring down the curtain on Saturday’s program in the Major League Soccer. Charlotte proved their worth in back-to-back wins over New York City and Chicago Fire, with the team reviving their playoffs hopes, but they face yet another must-win game against the Eastern Conference leaders. Christian Fuchs has yet to serve his ban, while both Adam Armour and Vinicius Mello remain in the recovery room.
The U’s, on the other hand, aim to retain top position in the standings, but seeing that the hosts want this win more than the visitors, we predict that Jim Curtin’s men will return home empty-handed. The 43-year-old tactician should have a full squad to choose from for the Banc of America Stadium showdown. In their first and only previous meeting in the MLS Philadelphia recorded a 2-0 win over Charlotte.
Highlighted Player (Andre Blake):
Andre Blake is a Jamaican goalkeeper who plays for MLS club Philadelphia Union. Blake was born in May Pen, Jamaica, on November 21, 1990, but he went to the UConn college in United States of America. The 193-cm-tall shoot-stopper spent three years playing college football and in 2014 he signed a professional contract with Philadelphia Union.
Andre Blake made his debut for the U in July 2014 in a friendly game against Crystal Palace and he played his first MLS match against Montreal Impact. Speaking of his international career, the goalkeeper made his Jamaica debut on March 2, 2014 in a 2-0 victory over Barbados. Later that year Andre Blake won the Caribbean Cup with the Reggae Boyz as they defeated Trinidad and Tobago on penalties in the title game.
Over the years Blake has established himself as a first-team regular and, no doubt, there is a bright future ahead of him. The Philadelphia Union shoot-stopper wears the number 18 on his shirt.
Highlighted Team (Philadelphia Union):
Based in Chester, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Union is an American soccer club that compete in Major League Soccer. The U have been participating in MLS since 2010, but they have yet to win the domestic trophy. Philadelphia welcome their opponents at Talen Energy Stadium, the venue that was opened on June 27, 2010 and current capacity of the stadium is 18.500.
The U made it to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final on two occasions (2014, 2015), but they were beaten by Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City respectively in the title games. The likes of D.C. United and New York Red Bulls are regarded as the club’s fiercest rivals, but they share a rivalry with Seattle Sounders as well.
Philadelphia’s colors are navy blue and gold, but they wear white shirts and white socks when playing on the road. USA international Freddy Adu is one of the most notable footballers who player for the U in the past. The former Benfica man scored seven goals in 37 appearances for Philadelphia Union in MLS.