The top-seeded Philadelphia Union host No. 5 New York City FC in Sunday’s winner-take-all Eastern Conference semifinal, which has emerged as a match where both sides could be combating off-field distractions.
Philadelphia will take the field five days following a report from The Guardian, in which 17 sources made allegations of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior by club sporting director Ernst Tanner. The Union subsequently placed Tanner on administrative leave.
While the allegations don’t directly implicate any players or coaches, Tanner is the person largely credited with constructing the squad that won the club’s second MLS Supporters’ Shield this season by posting the best regular season record.
After sweeping the Chicago Fire in their first-round series, the Union had three full weeks to do little but train, while also being made aware of the news about to break.
First-year manager Bradley Carnell insisted that if Philadelphia falls short on Sunday, it won’t be because of any hiccups in the preparation.
“The players have been amazing over the last three weeks, 20 days, whatever it’s been, have been incredible,” Carnell said. “And obviously, they were informed about the situation. But for the players on the ground, and the day-to-day organizational operations, we haven’t skipped a beat.”
The Union should be close to full strength on the field. And regular season scoring leader Tai Baribo snapped a seven-match goal-scoring drought in his last appearance by delivering a brace in Philadelphia’s 3-0 win in the Game 2 clincher.
NYCFC will be missing their own leading scorer in Alonso Martinez, who tore his ACL while on international duty for Costa Rica. Andres Perea also will be out after a leg fracture in a decisive 3-1 Game 3 win over Charlotte FC in the first round.
That will place more burden on summer signing Nicolas Fernandez Mercau, who had his best NYCFC performance with a brace in the Game 3 win. But NYCFC manager Pascal Jansen believes his side’s two strong performances against Philly — a 1-0 home win and 1-0 away loss — should give his side confidence.
“We’re one of the few teams that have beat them,” Jansen said. “They’re very comfortable in chaotic situations. So for us it’s very important … that we dominate the ball. Making sure that we create calmness within the chaos.”
–Field Level Media
