Our prediction for this MLS match:
After suffering a 1-0 loss to Orlando City, DC United will be looking to give fans somet cheer when they take on Philadelphia Union at their Audi Field. The capital club have already suffered four defeats in the new MLS campaign, and it should come as no surprise the bookies see them as underdogs in Monday’s clash. To make things even worse for the hosts head coach Hernan Losada has a number of selection worries ahead of the visit of Philadelphia.
The U’s, on the other hand, aim to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over New York Red Bulls. Philadelphia Union are eager to retain their spot in top seven, and they should take advantage of the number of absentees in the home team. A man to watch in the away team will be Jamaica international Cory Burke, who has found his goalscoring touch of late.
Highlighted Player (Felipe Martins):
Felipe Campanholi Martins is a Brazilian footballer who was born on September 30, 1990 in Engenheiro Beltrao. After playing for the likes of PSTC-Londrina, Atletico Catarinense and Campo Grande during his youth career, he started his senior career at Padova.
The Brazilian midfielder appeared in no more than four league matches for the Italian club and in 2009 he moved to Switzerland, signing a deal with FC Winterthur. At the end of the season he joined fellow Swiss Super League club Lugano and he quickly established himself as a first-team regular. In the winter of 2011 Felipe moved to MLS, signing a deal with expansion team Montreal Impact.
He scored his first MLS goal in a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on May 5, 2012 and he has been playing an important role in the team ever since. Felipe has yet to represent Brazil at senior level, but he could play for Canada national team in the future as he applied for permanent residency.
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.