The Philadelphia Union will try to extend their unbeaten run to 16 matches in Chester, Pa., on Saturday when they host a New England Revolution side they potentially could face in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The Union (13-10-7, 46 points) are four matches away from equaling the MLS regular-season record of 19 consecutive games without a loss.
Milan Iloski scored his team-leading 19th goal from the penalty spot in the 24th minute, and Bruno Damiani added his 12th with a 73rd-minute equalizer in a 2-2 draw against Charlotte FC last Saturday. But 17-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan failed to contribute a goal or assist for the first time in 11 MLS appearances while the Union fell short of a ninth straight win.
In the process, Philadelphia failed to climb above fifth-place Charlotte in the Eastern Conference to begin a formidable stretch. After hosting third-place New England (16-10-4, 52 points) Saturday, the Union visit Supporters’ Shield leader Nashville on Wednesday and then eighth-place FC Cincinnati on Oct. 31.
The top nine teams in each conference reach the MLS postseason.
“What we have to make sure that we do is compete in the way that we do,” interim Union manager Ryan Richter said. “But I also hope we take some confidence in, yeah, this is exactly the level that we’re at as a team, and we have to continue to show that on a week-to-week basis.”
The Revolution have won two straight matches and five out of seven to continue a sneakily strong first season under manager Marko Mitrovic. And they’ve gone unbeaten in their last eight against Eastern Conference foes, a stretch dating back to a 2-1 loss at Toronto on Aug. 15.
Ultimately, neither New England nor Philadelphia’s unbeaten runs mean all that much on Saturday, Mitrovic suggested.
“The record that they have, that’s amazing, that’s impressive,” he said. “But I really don’t pay attention to much of them. If it’s the opponent or it’s us. I think that every next game is a game for itself.”
Carles Gil, 33, has 12 goals and 11 assists for the Revs in arguably his best season since his 2021 MLS MVP campaign.
Dor Turgeman (nine goals, seven assists) and Peyton Miller (seven goals, seven assists) also have enjoyed productive seasons.
–Field Level Media
