Our prediction for this MLS match:
New York City will be aiming to build on a 4-1 win over Montreal when they take on Philadelphia Union in the MLS round 4. The Blue Pigeons have been having their ups and downs at the start of the season, with the team losing to LA Galaxy, sharing the spoils with Vancouver, while beating Montreal. Defender Anton Tinnerholm is sidelined with injury, but he should be the only absentee in the home team.
The U’s, on the other hand, aim to build on back-to-back wins over Montreal and San Jose Earthquakes. Philadelphia want to overtake Columbus in top position, but beating New York City on the road is easier said than done. Anyhow, given the attacking potential of the two teams we believe that there is a big value in betting on over 2.5 goals. There are no absentees in the away side.
Highlighted Player (Alexei Koselev):
Alexei Koselev is a Moldovan international who plays for Eredivisie side Fortuna Sittard. Koselev started his youth career at Kuban Krasnodar, but he did not see any game action with the Russian club at senior level.
The Moldovan goalkeeper played for the likes of Gagauzia, Dacia-2 Buiucani, Real-Succes, Saxan Gagauz Yeri, FC Tiraspol, Sheriff Tiraspol, and Politehnica Iasi before joining Fortuna Sittard in the summer of 2018. Alexei Koselev has 18 caps for the Moldova U21 team, and he made his senior debut in a qualifier against Russia in 2015.
The 200-cm-tall shot-stopper managed to keep his first clean sheet with the Moldova national team in a 2-0 win over San Marino on March 19, 2017. Alexei Koselev’s preferred foot is right, and he wears the No. 77 shirt at Fortuna Sittard. He made his Eredivisie debut on August 11, 2018 in a 1-1 draw with Excelsior.
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.