Philadelphia Union And FC Cincinnati will end the 2024 MLS season campaign when they face off Saturday at Subaru Park.

While the Orange and Blue have secured a spot in the play-offs, the stakes are high for the home team, who sit 11th in the Eastern Conference standings, three points shy of ninth-place Montreal in the coveted play-in spot .

Match example

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Philadelphia Union dropped three earlier points in their late bid for post-season football as they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Columbus Crew in their final outing before the international break on October 6.

Cucho Hernández And Mohammed Farsi scored on either side Nathan Harriel‘s equalizer in the 25th minute to give the Crew a first-half lead and after Hernandez added his second of the match in the 76th minute, Jack McGlynn scored moments later to halve the deficit.

Before that, Philadelphia Union saw their three-match unbeaten run come to an end on October 3, when they were defeated 2–1 by Orlando City at the Inter & Co Stadium thanks to goals in the second half of Facundo Torres And Duncan McGuire.

While Jim Curtin‘s men had hoped for a strong end to the campaign, but they have now taken one point from the last nine available, a run that has put their hopes of a sixth successive play-off appearance in jeopardy.

The Union now find themselves in the last ditch as they go into the season finale in 11th the Eastern Conference table with 37 points, three points behind ninth-placed CF Montreal in the coveted play-in qualifying spot.

Philadelphia Union are the only team in the bottom half of the table with a positive goal difference, meaning victory this weekend and favorable results in the other matches could see them finish in the top nine.

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On the other hand, Cincinnati failed to stop their poor late-season form as they lost 3-1 to Orlando City when the two sides faced off at TQL Stadium just before half-time.

After falling behind Ramiro Enrique‘s 10th minute opener, Luciano Acosta Just before half time the goal struck and the home team got back into the game. Ivan Angulo put Cincinnati ahead with a 66th-minute try before Enrique scored his second of the match to ensure the result.

Cincinnati has now lost each of their last three games, falling to Los Angeles FC, New York City and Orlando City, while conceding eight goals and scoring four since a thrilling 2-2 draw against Nashville SC at Geodis Park on September 22.

Pat Noonan‘s men enter the season finale without a win in nine of their most recent 11 MLS matches – losing seven and drawing two – a run that has derailed their pursuit of the Eastern Conference title.

Although it was a mediocre end to the campaign for the Orange and Blue, they are assured of third place in the Eastern Conference standings as they sit four points above fourth-placed Orlando City heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer format:

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer format:

Team news

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Philadelphia Union remains without the services of the 21-year-old full-back Isaiah LeFlorewho continues his long spell on the sidelines as he recovers from a knee injury.

Barring late fitness issues, LeFlore should be the only guaranteed absentee for the season finale and we expect Curtin to name a similar squad that started against Columbus Crew before the break.

Harriel scored his second goal in three games with his strike against the Crew and the 23-year-old should form the back four with Jacob Glesnes, Jack Elliott And Kai Wagnerwhile Daniel Gaza Day, Tai Baribo And Mikael Uhre should lead the attack again.

As for Cincinnati, they still don’t have a single key player in the backbone of the team Alec Kann (hip), Nick Hagglund (leg) and Isaiah Foster (knee) all continue their spells on the sidelines.

Nigerian defender Chidozie Awazien has missed each of the last since suffering a leg injury against Los Angeles FC on September 29 and the 27-year-old is out of action for the Orange and Blue.

First choice defender Matthew Miazga has been ruled out since suffering a knee injury against the San Jose Earthquakes in June Sergio Santos will also sit out this weekend’s clash due to concussion protocol.

Possible starting lineup of Philadelphia Union:
Blake; Harriel, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; Jacques, Sullivan, Flach; Gazdag, Baribo, Uhre

Possible starting line-up of FC Cincinnati:
Celentano; Powell, Robinson, Hadebe; Yedlin, Nwobodo, Bucha, Asad; Acosta, Kelsy, Gioacchini

We say: Philadelphia Union 2-1 FC Cincinnati

It’s now or never for Philadelphia Union in their pursuit of post-season football as they needed maximum points to keep their hopes of qualifying for the play-offs alive. While Philadelphia will need results elsewhere this weekend to be in their favor, they must do their part first when they take on a Cincinnati team that has already booked a playoff ticket.

While the Dutch and Blue team look to break their run of three consecutive defeats and end the season on a positive note, we support the Curtin men to pull out all the stops for the home supporters to secure the desired result.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

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