Our prediction for this MLS match:
TQL Stadium will host Sunday’s football game between Cincinnati and Philadelphia Union. Cincinnati are leading the Eastern Conference and they must be high on confidence following back-to-back wins over Nashville and Inter Miami. Yuya Kubo has yet to overcome a knee injury, while there are no fresh selection worries in the home team.
Meanwhile, the U’s have been struggling to find their best form at the start of the season, with the team collecting only 8 points in total from possible 18. Since Philadelphia were beaten by both Inter Miami and Montreal in the first two away games of the process, we are tempted to put our money on the hosts. Defender Kai Wagner is out of contention with a hamstring problem, but there are no suspended players in the visiting team ahead of the trip to Ohio.
Highlighted Player (Luciano Acosta):
Luciano Acosta is a professional footballer who plays for DC United as an attacking midfielder. Acosta was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on May 31, 1994 and he started his senior career at his hometown club Boca Juniors. After scoring 2 goals in 25 appearances for the famous Argentine club, the 160-cm tall footballer joined Estudiantes on loan in 2016.
In 2017 he moved to DC United and he has been playing for the MlS club ever since. Luciano Acosta impressed in the 2018 season, with the Argentina international scoring 10 goals, while providing 15 assists for his teammates in the process. Despite producing thrilling showings in the 2018 MLS campaign, he has yet to earn a call-up for the Argentina national football team.
Acosta’s main position is attacking midfielder, but he is capable of playing as both second striker and centre forward as well. He has a contract with DC United which should expire on December 31, 2019 and his preferred foot is right.
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.